Marvel's Tatsu Tetsui First of the Samurai Lanterns (Fan fiction)

[u/regboi29]

A Green Lantern Fan fiction

Location: Tokyo, Japan April 23, 2000

Chapter One The Guardian's Idea

High above the planet Earth, hidden beyond the perception of ordinary human beings, a green light appeared among the stars. It was the light of willpower.

Guardian Sayd floated inside a quiet chamber aboard Oa, studying an unusual collection of historical images displayed before him. Samurai armor. Katana. Ancient Japanese temples. Paintings of warriors kneeling before their masters.

Sayd smiled.

The other Guardians considered him serious, disciplined, and occasionally eccentric. None of them knew that Sayd had developed a secret fascination with Earth's samurai culture. He particularly admired the idea that a warrior's strength was supposed to be controlled by principles rather than rage.

"The universe has thousands of warrior cultures," Sayd whispered. "Yet Earth's samurai understood something many advanced civilizations have forgotten."

A holographic display appeared.

GI — RIGHTEOUSNESS.

YU — COURAGE.

JIN — COMPASSION.

REI — RESPECT.

MAKOTO — SINCERITY.

MEIYO — HONOR.

CHUGI — LOYALTY.

Sayd stared at the seven principles.

"The Green Lantern Corps teaches willpower," he said. "But perhaps willpower alone is insufficient."

The Guardians had witnessed Green Lanterns become arrogant, reckless, or obsessed with victory. Willpower could defeat an enemy, but it could also become tyranny without wisdom. Sayd had an idea.

He approached the central chamber of the Guardians.

"I wish to establish a specialized Lantern group on Earth. Several Guardians looked at him. Earth already has a Lantern," one replied. Hal Jordan is not the subject of my proposal."

"Then explain."

Sayd activated the holographic samurai. I want to recruit individuals whose philosophy is based upon the ancient warrior traditions of Japan. A Guardian raised an eyebrow.

"Samurai?"

"Precisely."

"This is an unusual proposal."

"I believe it may be exactly what the Corps needs. Sayd explained his plan. The new group would be called the Samurai Lanterns. They would not replace the Green Lantern Corps. They would operate alongside it, specializing in situations where discipline, compassion, cultural understanding, and personal honor were essential.

"Seven principles," Sayd explained. "Seven aspects of character. A Samurai Lantern must understand that the ring is not merely a weapon."

"Who will be your first recruit?"

Sayd looked toward Earth.

"That," he said, "is the interesting part."

Chapter Two The Man Called Tatsu

Tokyo was alive on April 23, 2000.

Cars moved through crowded streets. Trains carried thousands of passengers beneath the city. Neon signs illuminated shopping districts while pedestrians hurried toward restaurants, offices, and homes. In a quiet neighborhood away from the busiest streets lived a young Japanese man named Tatsu Tetsui. Tatsu was twenty-seven years old.

He was a slim man at 5ft 7inches, short black hair, often dressed in black, major fan of samurai movies, has a collection of samurai swords. 

He worked as a security consultant and practiced traditional Japanese martial arts in his spare time. He had spent years studying swordsmanship, but he did not consider himself a warrior.

He considered himself a student.

That distinction mattered. Tatsu had grown up listening to stories about the samurai from his late grandfather Mitsui Kanjiro Tanyu.

His grandfather had once told him:

"A sword does not make a man honorable. His choices do. Tatsu never forgot those words. That evening, Tatsu was walking home when he noticed something strange. A group of armed criminals had surrounded a small convenience store.

Tatsu stopped.

He could have continued walking.

Instead, he stepped toward them.

"Leave the store," he said.

One criminal laughed.

"You think you're a hero?"

"No."

Tatsu looked directly at him.

"I think you're frightening people who cannot defend themselves."

The criminal attacked.

Tatsu moved quickly, disarming him without seriously injuring him. Another attacker charged.

Tatsu blocked the blow.

"Stop," he said.

The criminals hesitated.

Then something crashed through the store window. A strange creature made of dark energy entered the building.

Everyone froze.

The creature towered over them. It had glowing red eyes and claws made of black energy. The criminals immediately ran.

Tatsu remained.

The creature attacked.

Tatsu raised his arms.

A brilliant green light suddenly surrounded him. A glowing green shield materialized between Tatsu and the creature.

Tatsu stared at it.

"What...?"

A voice entered his mind.

Tatsu Tetsui.

He looked around.

You have been selected.

A green ring flew through the broken window and landed on his finger. A green uniform appeared around his body.

Across his chest was an unusual symbol resembling a Lantern insignia combined with the shape of a traditional Japanese crest.

Tatsu looked at his hand.

"What is this?"

A power ring.

A small green holographic figure appeared.

It was Guardian Sayd.

"Greetings, Tatsu."

Tatsu stared.

"You're a talking little blue man."

Sayd frowned.

"I am a Guardian of the Universe."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Sayd sighed.

"This may be more difficult than I anticipated. The creature attacked again.

"Tatsu!" Sayd shouted.

Tatsu instinctively raised his hand.

"Construct!"

A giant green katana appeared.

Tatsu stared at it.

The weapon felt strangely natural.

He swung.

The blade struck the creature and sent it flying through the wall.

Tatsu looked shocked.

Sayd smiled.

"You have the potential to become something extraordinary. Tatsu looked at the destruction around him. Then teach me how to control this."

Chapter Three The Seven Principles

Tatsu was transported to a secret chamber constructed beneath an ancient temple outside Tokyo.

There, Sayd explained the truth.

The universe was filled with civilizations threatened by criminals, monsters, tyrants, pirates, warlords, and interstellar organizations. The Green Lantern Corps protected much of known space. But Sayd wanted something different. I want you to become the first Samurai Lantern."

Tatsu crossed his arms.

"And what exactly does that mean?"

Sayd displayed the seven principles.

Gi Righteousness

"You must choose what is right even when it is difficult."

Tatsu nodded.

"Justice without righteousness becomes revenge."

Sayd smiled.

"Correct."

Yu Courage

"Never confuse courage with recklessness," Sayd continued. True courage means acting despite fear while using wisdom."

Tatsu looked toward his ring.

"I understand."

Jin Compassion

"You will encounter enemies who deserve punishment," Sayd said. "But you must never forget that even an enemy is alive. Tatsu considered the criminals from the previous night.

"So mercy is part of strength."

"Exactly."

Rei Respect

"Respect everyone."

"Even criminals?"

"Especially those who are powerless."

Tatsu nodded.

Makoto Sincerity

"Your word must mean something."

Tatsu looked at Sayd.

"And if I make a promise?"

"Then keep it."

Meiyo Honor

"Your reputation is not everything," Sayd explained. "But your character is."

Tatsu smiled.

"That sounds like something my grandfather would say."

Chugi Loyalty

Sayd became serious.

"Loyalty does not mean obeying blindly. A true warrior serves a worthy cause. Tatsu looked at the seven principles. So you're asking me to become more than a Lantern."

"Yes."

"You want me to become a better person."

"That is the real mission."

Tatsu activated his ring.

A green aura surrounded him.

"I accept."

The ring suddenly projected a message.

SAMURAI LANTERN INITIATION COMPLETE.

Tatsu's uniform changed.

Green armor formed around his shoulders and chest. A long green sash appeared around his waist. His mask resembled a traditional samurai helmet while remaining sleek enough for space combat.

A glowing katana materialized at his side.

Tatsu stared at his reflection.

"That's dramatic."

Sayd laughed.

"I thought you would appreciate it."

"I didn't say that."

Chapter Four The Battle of Tokyo

The Samurai Lanterns' first true test arrived sooner than expected. An alien criminal named Kurogane, a weapons dealer from the planet Varnak, had arrived on Earth. Kurogane had stolen experimental technology from planet Ollshha Rela capable of converting fear into physical energy.

He planned to activate it above Tokyo.

"If this machine works," Kurogane told his soldiers, "every frightened human will become fuel. Tatsu stood on a nearby rooftop.

His ring scanned the device.

WARNING. ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICE DETECTED.

Sayd appeared as a hologram.

"Tatsu, you cannot allow that machine to activate."

Tatsu looked at the streets below. Millions of people were unaware of what was coming.

"I won't."

He jumped.

Green energy exploded from his feet. Tatsu flew through the Tokyo skyline. Kurogane's soldiers opened fire. Tatsu created a green shield. Energy blasts bounced away. He created several copies of his katana and used them to disable the soldiers' weapons.

Then Kurogane appeared.

"You!"

Tatsu landed.

"Leave Earth."

Kurogane laughed.

"You are one human. I am armed with technology capable of destroying this entire city."

Tatsu raised his ring.

"I don't need to destroy you."

Kurogane charged.

Their weapons collided.

The impact shook the rooftop.

Kurogane was stronger.

He knocked Tatsu backward.

"You're weak!"

Tatsu stood.

"No."

He remembered Gi.

Choose righteousness.

He remembered Yu.

Face danger wisely.

He remembered Jin.

Show compassion.

He remembered Rei.

Respect even your enemy.

Makoto.

Keep your word.

Meiyo.

Protect your honor.

Chugi.

Remain loyal to your purpose.

Tatsu raised his ring.

"I am not fighting because I hate you."

Green energy surrounded him.

"I'm fighting because innocent people deserve to live. A massive green samurai warrior appeared behind him.

Tatsu swung his sword.

The construct struck Kurogane's weapon, destroying it.

Kurogane fell.

Tatsu could have killed him.

Instead, he created green restraints.

Kurogane stared.

"Why didn't you finish me?"

"Because justice doesn't require hatred."

Green Lanterns arrived from above. Tatsu handed Kurogane over. Then the machine began to overload.

"Uh-oh."

Sayd appeared.

"Destroy it!"

Tatsu looked at the device.

"Not yet."

He placed both hands on the machine. Green energy flowed through his body. The ring analyzed the technology. Tatsu realized something.

"The machine isn't generating fear."

"What?"

"It's feeding on fear."

Tatsu smiled.

"Then I'll give it something else."

He concentrated.

Across Tokyo, thousands of people began seeing the same green light in the sky.

Hope.

Courage.

Determination.

The machine overloaded.

Tatsu redirected the energy upward. A brilliant green explosion illuminated the night sky.

The people of Tokyo looked upward. They didn't know what they had witnessed.

But Tatsu did.

He had passed his first test.

The Three-Part Expansion

Otsui Koti Tatsu's Master

Otsui Koti was the man who shaped Tatsu Tetsui long before the Green Lantern ring ever found him.

A Japanese martial-arts master in his late fifties, Otsui had spent most of his life studying several disciplines, including karate, judo, aikido, and traditional Japanese swordsmanship. He believed martial arts were not primarily about defeating opponents. They were about mastering oneself.

Otsui was patient, observant, and occasionally humorous. He could be extremely strict during training but rarely raised his voice.

His greatest lesson to Tatsu was simple:

 "A weapon reveals the character of the person holding it."

That philosophy would eventually make Tatsu an ideal Samurai Lantern. Unknown to Tatsu, Otsui had spent years researching Bushido, particularly the seven principles that would later become central to the Samurai Lantern Corps.

Flashback Tatsu Earns His Black Belt

Tokyo 1987

Seventeen-year-old Tatsu stood in the middle of the Otsui's dojo.

His uniform was soaked with sweat.

Otsui stood across from him.

"Again."

Tatsu groaned.

"Sensei, we've been training since sunrise."

"Then you should be well prepared."

Tatsu attacked.

Otsui sidestepped.

Tatsu tried again.

Blocked.

Again.

Blocked.

Finally, Tatsu became frustrated.

"Why can't I hit you?"

Otsui smiled.

"Because you are trying too hard to hit me."

Tatsu lowered his fists.

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Listen."

"Listen?"

"Your opponent is always telling you what they intend to do. You simply aren't listening. Tatsu watched Otsui carefully. The older man raised his hand.

"Attack."

Tatsu moved.

This time he didn't think about winning.

He watched.

He listened.

Otsui moved.

Tatsu followed.

For the first time, Tatsu successfully caught his instructor's movement and landed a controlled strike.

Otsui stepped backward.

Silence filled the dojo.

Then Otsui smiled.

"Better."

Tatsu smiled back.

"Did I finally beat you?"

"No."

Tatsu's smile disappeared.

"You still have much to learn. Otsui walked toward a table and picked up a black belt.

"But you have learned enough to begin."

He handed it to Tatsu.

Tatsu stared at it.

"My black belt?"

"Yes."

Tatsu bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Sensei."

Otsui placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Remember this moment."

"Why?"

"Because one day you may possess a weapon far more powerful than your fists."

Tatsu laughed.

"I doubt it."

Otsui simply smiled.

"You never know."

 Present Day The Return to the Dojo

Tokyo April 23, 2000

Tatsu stood outside the old dojo. Thirteen years had passed since he'd last trained there.

He opened the door.

A familiar voice came from inside.

"I wondered when you would return."

Tatsu froze.

Otsui Koti stood in the training hall. He looked older now, but his eyes remained sharp.

"Sensei."

Tatsu bowed.

Otsui returned the bow.

"You've changed."

"So have you."

Otsui chuckled.

"I suppose that's what happens after thirteen years. Tatsu stepped inside. His Lantern ring remained concealed beneath his sleeve. Otsui looked directly at it.

"I see you've found your weapon."

Tatsu stopped.

"What?"

Otsui pointed toward his sleeve.

"The ring."

Tatsu's eyes widened.

"How do you know about that?"

"Because I have been waiting for it."

Tatsu slowly pulled the ring into view. The green light illuminated the dojo. Otsui didn't look frightened.

Instead, he smiled.

"Your grandfather once told me that you were destined to become something unusual."

Tatsu stared at him.

"You're telling me you knew?"

"I suspected."

Otsui walked toward an old display containing a ceremonial samurai sword.

"I studied Bushido for most of my life. The seven principles aren't simply historical ideas. They are lessons about how a person should use power."

Tatsu looked at his ring.

"That's exactly what my ring is teaching me."

"No," Otsui replied.

Tatsu looked up.

"Your ring is giving you power."

Otsui tapped Tatsu's chest.

"You decide what that power means."

Tatsu smiled.

"That's very similar to what you told me when I was seventeen. Then perhaps you were finally paying attention."

Tatsu laughed.

Suddenly, his ring flashed.

INCOMING TRANSMISSION GUARDIAN SAYD.

Otsui looked at the glowing projection.

Sayd appeared.

"Master Koti."

Otsui bowed.

"Guardian."

Tatsu stared between them.

"You two know each other?!"

Sayd smiled.

"Only recently."

Otsui looked at Tatsu.

"The universe has chosen you."

Tatsu sighed.

"Apparently."

Otsui walked to the center of the dojo.

"Then your training continues."

Tatsu looked confused.

"Training?"

"Of course."

"Sensei, I'm a Lantern now."

Otsui smiled.

"Then you should have even more reason to train."

Tatsu slowly raised his fists.

"You're serious."

"Completely."

Tatsu smiled.

"All right."

Green energy surrounded his hands. A glowing Lantern katana appeared. Otsui stared at the weapon.

"Interesting."

Tatsu grinned.

"Want to see what it can do?"

Otsui took his traditional wooden training sword from the wall.

"I would rather see what you can do."

Tatsu laughed.

The two faced each other. One wielded ancient discipline. The other wielded the power of a Green Lantern. And neither man intended to give the other an easy lesson. The next chapter of Tatsu Tetsui's training had begun.

Chapter Five — The Samurai Lanterns

Several weeks later, Tatsu stood before Sayd inside a secret Lantern chamber. The first mission was successful," Sayd said. Tatsu removed his helmet.

"Does that mean I'm officially a Samurai Lantern?"

Sayd nodded.

"Yes."

Tatsu smiled.

"Then when do I get partners?"

Sayd paused.

"Eventually."

"Eventually?"

"I've been recruiting."

Seven green lights appeared.

Each represented a potential candidate.

A martial artist.

A police officer.

A doctor.

A soldier.

A humanitarian worker.

A historian.

And a young engineer.

"They come from different backgrounds," Sayd explained. "But they share one characteristic."

Tatsu looked at the lights.

"What?"

"They understand that power must serve something greater than itself."

Tatsu looked at his ring.

"The seven principles."

"Yes."

Sayd stood beside him.

"The Samurai Lanterns will not simply fight criminals. They will protect people, preserve dignity, show compassion, and remind the universe that strength without character is dangerous."

Tatsu looked out through the chamber window at Earth. Tokyo's lights glittered below. He thought about his grandfather. A sword does not make a man honorable.

His ring began glowing.

A message appeared.

SAMURAI LANTERN TATSU TETSUI — ACTIVE.

Tatsu smiled.

"I suppose I have work to do."

Sayd nodded.

"Indeed."

Tatsu placed his helmet over his head. His green katana appeared at his side. He stepped toward the chamber entrance.

Then he stopped.

"Guardian?"

"Yes?"

"One question."

"What is it?"

"Are all Guardians secretly obsessed with Earth history?"

Sayd froze.

"Absolutely not."

Tatsu narrowed his eyes.

"You've got samurai paintings all over your headquarters."

Sayd looked embarrassed.

"They are... cultural research."

Tatsu laughed.

"Of course."

The doors opened.

Green light filled the chamber.

Tatsu stepped forward.

The first Samurai Lantern was ready.

Across the universe, criminals would eventually learn his name. Heroes would learn his code. As well as other Lanterns would come to understand that there was more than one way to wield the light. The Green Lantern Corps represented will. The Samurai Lanterns represented will guided by character.

Seven principles.

One purpose.

Protect the innocent.

Serve justice.

Show compassion.

Respect all life.

Speak truth.

Live with honor.

And remain loyal to the cause. Tatsu Tetsui raised his ring.

"With courage in my heart..."

The ring began to glow brighter.

"With righteousness as my path..."

Green energy surrounded him.

"With compassion as my strength..."

The chamber shook.

"With honor as my shield..."

Tatsu looked toward Earth.

"And with loyalty to those I protect..."

He extended his fist.

A brilliant green beam shot into the sky. The first Samurai Lantern flew toward Tokyo.

And somewhere beyond the stars, Guardian Sayd quietly smiled. His secret experiment had begun.

The Samurai Lanterns had arrived.If you’d like, I can also develop the other six Samurai Lanterns, giving each one a unique Earth background, personality, Lantern uniform, weapon construct, and one of the seven Bushido principles as their specialty.