//------------------------------// // Invasion Part 1: Calm Before The Storm // Story: MLDC Next Generation: Teen Titans // by Michael_Ravencroft //------------------------------// Summer time in Canterlot City, the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. All in all it was a pretty nice day. Starburst and Anthea were out walking in the downtown area, Annie had brought Star there under the pretext of “window shopping”, and of course when Annie meant window shopping, she really meant to say “Please come shopping with me because I would like to buy a new outfit, but I don’t want to end up looking like a clown!” So Starburst became Annie’s designated shopper helper. In a way it was flattering that Annie asked Star to come with her, she obviously valued her opinion on what she wore and it made her happy that would consult her for such things. Although, after their recent acquisition of the powers of War and Peace, Annie could see a lot better, maybe not through her actual eyes, but her mind’s eye was a different story. Starburst thought that Amber Lily would probably be a better fit to ask for this kind of thing, but then again she remembered meeting Amber and how she seemed to be…overly affectionate. Take a few minutes ago for example, they were just coming out of a lingerie shop. Annie apparently also insisted on Star helping her pick out underwear, and several times did she have to stop Annie from buying something skimpy, see through, and thin. Starburst swore that Annie did that on purpose just to get a reaction out of her. Anyway, as they walked along, Star spotted Amber, along with Hot Head and Lucky. Annie called out to them and Amber came sashaying towards them. That was another thing she noticed about Amber, she was a flirt, and liked to tease. As soon as Annie gets close Amber reaches out and kisses Annie! “I don’t see what the big deal is Star,” said Annie. “SHE! KISSED! YOU! Another girl, kissed you! The girl who’s practically a big sister to you, just kissed you on the mouth like you were her girlfriend or something!” Star shouted. “It wasn’t even like that! Okay, yes, she did kiss me on my mouth, but it wasn’t like she used her tongue or something, she didn’t French kiss me. It was just a peck on the lips.” Annie explained. “A peck insinuates that it took less than a second, that lasted anywhere from ten to fifteen seconds!” “Wow, you actually counted?” “Not the point!” Annie sighed, “Alright I understand, I was surprised too, but that’s just how Lil is. And I’ve accepted that just as you have my eccentricities.” “‘Accepted’ isn’t quite the right word, more like tolerate.” Star corrected. Annie puffed out her cheeks and stuck her tongue out at Starburst. “It was a platonic kiss, totally didn’t mean anything. Besides, you know I don’t swing that way, what with those mag–” “OKAY, stop right there!” Star put up her hands and made an X. “I don’t want to hear about those!” Annie put up her hands in defeat. “Fine, fine, I’ll stop.” The corner of Annie’s mouth rose slightly. “Don’t you wanna how I can –?” “Annie I’m seriously going to –!” *BOOM!!!* Annie and Star stopped in their tracks. Across the street an explosion went off, blowing out the side of a bank building. Starburst looked to Annie, and Annie looked to Starburst, with a nod, the two girls dropped their bags, with Annie lamenting the loss of her cute clothes and underwear, and Starburst hurrying her along. The two found a vacant alley, once they were sure no one was coming and that there were no security cameras they set to work. “HAWK!!!” “DOVE!!!” A blue aura in the shape of a dove overlapped its wings and cocooned Anthea, and at the same time, a red aura in the shape of a hawk did the same for Starburst. When the aura vanished Starburst and Anthea were donned in their Hawk and Dove uniforms. Star flared her wings and took off out of the alley and towards the disturbance, while Anthea dashed away, leaving behind a blurred afterimage. When both heroes arrived at the scene they found a group of five criminals breaking into the bank. But what was strange was the weapons they wielded weren’t like anything they’d normally seen criminals use. One of them had gauntlets on, made of a black metal that had red circuitry running along it. Another had a vest with a strange looking cannon mounted on it, two others had had a couple of strange rifles. A shotgun, a pistol, the occasional fifty caliber machine gun, that was normal, these things were something else entirely. “What the – it’s the bird chicks!” Starburst landed next Anthea and sighed in indignation. “Seriously, ‘bird chicks’?! It’s Hawk and Dove moron, how hard is that to remember!” “Star calm down. We’re here to see if we can come to a peaceful resolution, I’m sure there are better methods to getting money, if you’ve fallen on hard times then I’m sure there’s a better way,” said Annie. The group of men just looked to each other as if saying “Really?” The two robbers with the strange rifles fired at the two heroines! Blasting with red laser bolts that flew through the air, Annie quickly raised her right hand, forming an azure barrier that protected both her and Star from the attack. “Can I punch them now?” Star asked. Annie sighed in defeat. “We have no choice at this point.” Starburst smirked as her crimson metallic wings spread out and flapped, propelling her straight up into the air. The robber with the cannon mounted vest pointed the weapon at Star as she ascended, once locked on the muzzle fired off small red disks that flew right after her! Star saw the disks coming, crossing her arms in front of her, Star summoned six shuriken between her fingers. She then tossed the red glowing throwing stars, the weapons igniting into red embers as they flew directly for the disks. All six hit their marks, exploding on impact and destroying the disks. But three of them got through and zoomed right towards her. They got into a triangle formation, hovering in a circle. Star was about tear into them with her clawed gauntlets, but the disks let loose red electrical energy that surged through the air and struck her. Star felt every nerve ending in her body erupt with pain as the disks electrocuted her, causing the red winged warrior to cry out in pain! “Hawk hang on!” Annie cried out. Another robber, armed with the strange round gauntlets, struck the ground. The energy and sonic vibrations from the strike traveled in a straight line, liquefying the ground. The trail continued till it went right under Annie’s feet, making the peace bringer sink into the mushy substance. Her shield disappeared as her arms submerged as well, leaving her at the mercy of the rifle wielders. “Two birds as they say,” said the leader. “SHAZAM!!!” Lightning crashed and thunder roared overhead, making everyone stop to look up. Star caught a brief glimpse of a lightning bolt appearing out of nowhere and descending down to some random place near them. But she didn’t have long to contemplate what it was as the devices increased their electrical torture. Suddenly a buzzing, crackling sound entered the noise, but it sounded different from what the disks were discharging. Star suddenly saw blue lightning strike the three disks, destroying them in an instant and freeing her from her painful prison. A blurry streak of gold and red rushed by, heading straight down to the ground and passing by over Annie. When Star blinked the next time, Annie was gone. She looked to and fro frantically until her eyes settled on her friend a few feet from where she was stuck, and she wasn’t alone. A young woman stood by Annie, a head taller than her. Her hood drawn to conceal her face as the twin tails of her large scarf bellowed in the crosswinds of her power. A lightning bolt symbol was upon her chest, and within the symbol was something like contained lightning. The young woman released Annie gently onto the ground and looked upon her with gentle violet eyes. “Are you alright?” “Y-Yeah, thank you,” said Annie. Starburst flew down, striking the ground hard and making it crater as she quickly put herself between Annie and the stranger. “Who are you?! What are you doing here?!” Star demanded. “GIRLS!!!” Annie shouted as she brought up her barrier, just in time to deflect more laser bolts. “Intros and explanations later, bad guys to stop remember?!” Thunder and Starburst glanced to each other and nodded firmly, both heroines taking off towards their specific targets. Star went for the riflemen, summoning two katanas and slicing the barrels of the guns right off, she then twirled around and brought the tip of her blades right to their throats, making both men sweat with fear at the thought of her running them through. Star smirked as she made the blades disappear, and instead punched the one on the left hard enough to send him flying, while in the air, she spun around and kicked the other one ten feet away and into a car. Thunder was dealing with the man with vest cannon. He fired off more of the disks at Thunder, but the disks all exploded before they even got the chance to attack, the magical champion’s lightning aura lashed out at the disks before they had a chance. Thunder took one more step and in a flash was right in front of the man, she grabbed onto the cannon, clenching her hand and tearing the cannon away. The leader took a few steps back out of fear of Thunder, she then curled her middle finger and placed her thumb on it. Putting her right hand in his face, Thunder flicked him between the eyes and sent him flying into the rifleman that Star had just punched out. Annie took on the last one, now that she knew of his weapon’s abilities, she wasn’t going to be caught off guard again. The man struck the ground several times, liquefying the ground to try and stop her advance, but Annie was fast, and very acrobatic as she used light poles to swing off of, and cars to vault, getting around him swiftly till he was in her range. She fired off two spheres of mana, hitting both gauntlets and damaging them. Annie quickly moved into close combat, using her middle and index fingers, she struck directly at key points of both his arms. The man felt his arms go completely numb and limp, swinging uselessly at his sides. Annie twirled about, getting in front of him and striking him in the center of his chest with the flat of her palm! Sending a wave of energy that attacked his nerves and shut down all but the vitals ones. The final robber fell to the ground, paralyzed all over but still breathing. “Don’t worry, you’ll regain feeling in your body right about the time when you’re in handcuffs,” said Annie. Starburst gave Annie a thumbs up, Annie didn’t like resorting to using her combative abilities too much. Having discovered that her close combat skills came with an added bonus of allowing her to channel her energy through her hands, like she did her spheres, but instead of creating shields, she could direct the energy to her opponent, effectively hitting them with a shockwave force strike. And even more precise, strike the different points of their body that dealt with their muscles and nerves, allowing her to paralyze her opponents and take them down without causing injury. Soon all three girls could hear sirens in the distance, Annie and Star looked to Thunder knowingly. “That’s our cue,” said Starburst. The crimson warrior quickly grabbed one of the strange rifles, Star rushed towards Annie, grabbing her by the waist and took off into the sky. Thunder followed close behind them, landing on building rooftop that overlooked the crime scene below. Star released Annie as she began to hyperventilate, causing Thunder to look at her worriedly. “Is she going to be alright?” “Don’t worry about Dove, she doesn’t like heights.” “Heights aren’t the problem! It’s flying that really scares the crap out of me! Why do you always do that, you grab me, and then take off into the air?!” “Well maybe if you actually flew I wouldn’t have to do that!” Thunder looked between the two girls. “So wait, she can fly?” Starburst groaned. “Yes, but she prefers to use her speed and run everywhere.” “Hawk, don’t start with me, okay, please!” “Uh-huh, so, Thunder right? I’ve heard stuff about you,” said Star. Thunder pulled back her hood, revealing her violet and purple hair as she smiled cockily at Star and Annie. “Good things I hope?” “So far, but more importantly, you ever seen something like this?” Hawk brought up the strange weapon. Thunder and Annie looked it over, now that they got a closer look at it, they noticed that it didn’t really look like something that was made in some weapons lab. At least, not one that was Earth based. “Never have before, although…I have heard of a strange tech making its way into the streets here and there,” said Thunder. “Same here, but that’s not the only thing,” said Annie. “The disappearances, yeah.” “Well, this is the first time we’ve been able to get our hands on one of their weapons. So maybe it can give us a clue as to who made it,” said Star. “We know someone who might be able to help, guess we’ll run it by him to be sure.” “Guess I’ll the investigating to you guys.” Thunder rose up into the air, slipping her hood back on as she did. “I was in the middle of something before I helped you out, so I’ll see you around!” Thunder then took off without another word, leaving Annie and Star behind. THE NEXT DAY… Star and Annie decided to get a better idea on what the strange weapon was. So they went to Canterlot University, which also did advanced research in partnership with S.T.A.R Labs, to see someone that not only had the brains to figure out this stuff, but also knew of their secret identities. The two girls entered the research lab of Canterlot University, students who proved themselves to be exceptional in their field were granted a personal laboratory, fitted for their needs. Star admitted, she only understood half of what was in the room. Her own mother was regarded as a genius, and often brought Starburst to the University as a way for them to have Mother/Daughter time. While she did have fun blowing some things up with chemicals and cutting things with a high powered laser, she still couldn’t grasp all the sciency stuff. Annie took an interest in it, but because of her vision, some of what she knew as limited. Of course that didn’t stop Star’s mom, nope, she saw it as a challenge, plus she was always happy to teach someone who wanted to learn. “Well if it isn’t Hawk and Dove, my archenemies!” Star and Annie gazed towards, what Star assumed was, a particle accelerator. A tall teenaged boy, wearing a white lab coat, with his flowing hair tied into a ponytail, stood at the large machine. He stared at the two girls menacingly, a smirk upon his pretty boy face as he posed for dramatic effect. “Star watch out, it’s Dr. Lucky Star! Hurry and run I’ll cover you!” Annie proclaimed as she got in front of Starburst and assumed a combative stance. The navy haired girl just face palmed and groaned. “Seriously, do we have to go through this routine every time you two meet?” Annie and Lucky sighed in reluctance, ending their little pretend game of mad scientist meets superheroes. But that didn’t stop either of them from chuckling at their little game. “Chill Starburst, all in good fun. Gotta do something to stay loose around this department, else the stress will crush you smaller than an atom,” said Lucky. “Oh that reminds me, is Pitaya here?” Annie asked. Lucky Star clicked his tongue a few times and then looked up. From the higher portions of the ceiling a dark red bat flew down. The chiropteran creature fluttered about as its echolocation went off, leading him straight for Annie. The bat slowed its descent, and gently landed on Annie’s head, snuggling itself in her hair as it grinned happily. “Hey Pit, did you miss me?!” Pitaya chittered his response gleefully. “Personally speaking, I’d invest in an actual hawk and dove to send secret messages, it’d go better with your hero personas.” “A: Do you have any idea how much it costs to buy a dove and hawk, and actually train them? A lot, trust me I looked. And B: no one would think to intercept messages from two bird themed heroines that was being carried by a bat.” Star explained. “You’re welcome.” Annie chimed in. Annie had suggested using Pitaya to send secret messages to and from Lucky Star. Since texting and emailing were too susceptible to hackers and other persons who would want to hurt Hawk and Dove through their loved ones. Starburst had, at first, scoffed at the idea of using the bat as a secret means of communication. But over the past few months, Pitaya had proven her worth as a dependable and stealthy means of communication. Annie bumped her hip against Star, nonverbally saying “I told you so!” as she smirked happily. Starburst just rolled her eyes playfully. “So your ‘batmail’ said you had something important to show me?” “Yeah, this is it.” Starburst held out the duffle bag she had been lugging around. Lucky went to grab for it, but once he gripped the straps and Star let go, he felt the full weight of the thing nearly take him to the ground. “Jeez Starburst, a little warning next time?!” “Sorry,” said Star. “How can you carry something this heavy for someone of your siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii………” Lucky clamped his mouth shut, almost pushing a button of Star’s that he knew meant he’d be thrown out the window. Starburst raised an eyebrow, knowing what the end of that sentence was going to be, but she decided to be merciful since they had more important matters to attend to. “Like Annie’s vision, my powers bleed into my body when I’m not transformed. I get a bit of a strength, stamina, endurance, speed, and agility boost that puts me at a slightly higher level than most. Nothing compared to when I’m transformed, but it’s still useful.” Lucky Star nodded and lugged the heavy thing over to special workbench. He hefted the bag onto the table and unzipped it, revealing the damaged weapon that Starburst and Anthea fought against, along with others. “This is from that robbery you guys stopped?” Lucky asked. “Well, us, and Thunder.” Annie corrected. “We know it’s a weapon, a rifle, but it doesn’t look like any normal high tech weapon I’ve seen,” said Star. Lucky got the rest of the weapon out and put the bag on the floor. He then snapped his fingers and a holographic display of a keyboard appeared. Lucky set to work, typing away at the hard-light hologram. The table expanded slightly, releasing a light wave of multiple hues up and down the weapon. From the overhead panel, two long arms with several tools on it lowered to the rifle. They fired mini-beams into the weapon, gathering data on an atomic level. Lucky Star had accepted a scholarship from Starburst’s mother months ago, allowing him to attended Canterlot University. Of course, the reasons for his finally accepting the generous offer was still shrouded in secrecy, but his intellect quickly earned him the respect amongst his older peers, as well as turned a few heads of the university girls, apparently a genius pretty boy was a very fine prospect. Nevertheless, his position and access to such tech allowed him to help out with Starburst’s and Annie’s little battle against crime and evil, and he was happy to help his former fellow orphan. After several keystrokes, Lucky stopped and turned to the two girls. “Now we wait for the computer to analyze the data and compile a list of what the thing is made of and, possibly, who made it.” “Oooh, while it’s doing that I’ll just head over the little girl’s room. Pit, you stay here and keep Starburst company.” Pitaya gently untangled himself from within the self-made nest of Annie’s soft hair and fluttered over to Starburst, landing on her shoulder and perching himself there. When Annie left the room, Star noticed how Lucky was watching her the whole time. “I know she’s wearing skinny jean shorts and a tank top, but you could at least try and not ogle her.” “I-I-I wasn’t ‘ogling’ Annie!” Lucky protested. Both Star and Pitaya weren’t buying this. Star leaned up against the opposite workbench and looked directly at Lucky Star. “Look, Lucky, just tell her that you like her and get it over with. You two have known each other since you guys were little kids in the same orphanage.” Lucky sighed heavily. “That’s not…I can’t, she’s like a little sister to me! It’d be like telling you to go and date your little brother.” Starburst cringed at that thought. “Please, you may act like a brother, you and Hot Head both, and Amber acts as your big sister / mother. Still wondering how that works, but anyway, that doesn’t mean you guys still can’t like each other like that!” Lucky Star leaned back on the bench, looking up at the ceiling. “Since when did you become so interested in my love life?” “Not yours, Annie’s,” Star used her right index finger to scratch under Pitaya’s chin, “she’s a nice, girl, a bit risqué, a tease, and a bit of a flirt. But she’s also kind, loving, and caring of others besides herself. This may be because I’m the other half of the powers we have, War and Peace, but I really do want her to be happy. At the same time, I don’t want Annie to end up with somebody who won’t show her the respect she deserves.” “I can relate to that,” said Lucky. “Then?” “I just…I’ll think about it.” “Don’t think too long.” “You really think I’m good for Annie?” “You’re someone she trusts, and considers family. She trusted you to keep our secret identities when we came to you for help in solving a crime, and I guess I’m warming up to you. Just watch your step.” “I’m back!” Annie announced. Lucky looked to the screen on the supercomputer across from them. “And the analysis is complete.” Lucky, Annie, and Star walked over to the large screen of the computer. The readout showed a 3D model of the atomic and molecular structure of the weapon. Lucky’s face began to contort with confusion as he stared at the multiple window screens that popped up with red marks. “What’s all this about?” Star asked. “Mind filling me in? Magic vision doesn’t work well with computer and cellphone screens.” “The computer’s unable to identify any of the metals or materials used to make this weapon, it’s all displaying as non-terrestrial,” said Lucky. “‘Non-terrestrial’, you mean like not from Earth?!” Annie exclaimed. Starburst looked back to the weapon, seeing the foreign weapon a different light. “So where is it from and how did it get to Earth?”     NIGHT TIME, BALTIMARE AIRSPACE…  [CeCe, Ah really don’t think you should be goin’ out alone, not without me there!] Candy, the Earth’s Blue Lantern, was currently flying through the night. Her ring detected something, hopelessness and despair, and a great concentration of it was coming from somewhere in the approaching city. Del was worried about her going to the city on her own, since a Blue Lantern’s offensive abilities were locked without the light of a Green Lantern. Which limited Candy’s combative options to just her aura, flight, and the ring’s other abilities that were, what she referred to as “miracles”. “Del stop being such a worrywart! I’m more than capable of defending myself even without willpower,” she argued. [Ah know it’s been buggin’ ya fer a while now, but couldn’t ya wait until after Ah was through with caterin’ the party to do that?] “Del, the longer I wait, the longer someone is suffering, and I can’t allow that! Not when there’s something I can do about it!” [*sigh* Fine, just be careful, and call me if you get into somethin’ serious, promise?] “I promise, see you soon!” Candy found Del’s concern about her endearing, and cute. When Del had gotten back from his basic training, Candy surprised him by showing him her blue ring. Apparently Golden Delicious was informed about the other colors of the Emotional Spectrum, and that Hope and Willpower worked together and powered the other. From then on the two of them worked as a team, Candy boosting Del’s green light of will, and Del unlocking Candy’s combat beams and constructs. Of course, despite the fact that she could hold her own in a fight, it didn’t stop the big lug from constantly worrying about her. She liked that he stuck by her side, feeling her cheeks heat up whenever he did. But still, she didn’t like that Del thought her light was weak. The blue light of hope was powerful, Saint Hope said it was one of the most powerful lights of the Spectrum. But that’s what she wanted, Candy wanted to help Del in protecting Earth, all of Sector 2814, and those he cared about. And really, she was doing the same, bringing hope to those who thought that the sun would never rise, that all they would know was darkness and despair. Candy briefly wondered if that’s how her mother thought when she was younger, she always wanted to put a smile on the faces of those she cared about, and even today still did. [Hopelessness detected. Range: 1 Mile.] Her ring spoke. Candy flew faster, entering Baltimare and seeing the many lights of the city. As she approached her destination, a warehouse district from the looks of it, she saw red and blue lights strobe in the distance. When she got close, Candy saw that they were police lights. She landed on a nearby rooftop, watching the scene unfold before her. There were cops everywhere, along with ambulances and of course the news media. All the commotion seemed to be concentrated inside, the police keeping a tight circle around the entrance to the warehouse. “Wonder what happened here?” “I happened,” said a distorted voice. Candy jerked her head to the left and jumped back, letting her aura expand and illuminate the dark to see the owner of the voice. He looked to be a young man, about as old as herself. He wore a green hooded jacket, with black combat boots, sleek dark green pants, and a quiver full of arrows strapped to his back. In his left, black gloved hand had a bow, it was a neat design. The bows arms curved elegantly, giving it an almost blade like appearance, the drawstring was held by two adjustable spindles on either end. Under the hood, the young man wore a dark green mask that covered his eyes, turning them a stark white, much like Candy’s did. “Who are you?” Candy asked. “I am called Arrow.” “‘Arrow’? Wait, I think I’ve heard of you! Aren’t you from Matropolis?” Arrow nodded. “Yes, but the criminal activity from my city led me here to Baltimare. This place belonged to a group of human traffickers that bought and sold young girls, this was not only their supply house, but also their auction house.” Candy looked back down at the enormous warehouse, now she understood why her ring sensed all that hopelessness, all that fear and despair, it was from the girls who were here. The Blue Lantern shed a tear for them, something that Arrow saw and understood why. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a handkerchief, handing it to Candy. “Thank you.” Candy took the handkerchief and wiped her eyes, when she moved to return it, Arrow shook his head. “Keep it, you may have more need of it than I right now, Blue Lantern.” “Wait, you know who I am?” “I’ve watched the world news feeds, you are the Green Lantern’s partner, both of you have done many a good deed in the name of justice around the world. Well, you two, and another who appears with lightning,” said Arrow. “Are they still there?” Candy asked. “They haven’t moved them, or rather, they can’t move them. A large majority of them won’t leave, their minds are too gripped with fear and conditioned to see, practically anyone, as someone of ill intent.” Candy shook her head. “I can’t let this go on!” Candy hopped up and hovered down towards the police. Arrow didn’t know what she was up to, but wasn’t sure if the police would give her a warm reception. The hooded archer reached back into his quiver and pulled out a strange looking arrow. He notched it and aimed for a tall light pole. Arrow fired his projectile, as the tail end of the arrow left, it hooked onto the bow arm. The shaft of the arrow broke in segments, becoming a long tether. The arrowhead broke out into three prongs, becoming a grappling hook. The hook latched onto the light pole, and Arrow swung off the roof. Meanwhile, Candy landed behind the line of policemen that guarded the entrance, needless to say, their reactions were what she expected. “Freeze!” They yelled as they drew their guns on her. Candy put up her hands as a gesture of cooperation, but realistically, she was invulnerable while cloaked in her aura field. Still, that didn’t mean she liked having guns pointed at her, especially when it was by the ones that she was trying to help. “Calm down, I’m only here to help. I’m the Blue Lantern.” The policemen and women lowered their weapons, but only slightly. They heard about the Blue and Green Lanterns, but this was the first time seeing her up close. All of them also couldn’t help but notice how young the Blue Lantern looked, the officers pegging her at least high school aged. “Okay, why are you here?” One officer asked. “Well…” “I called her here.” Arrow came swinging out of from overhead, doing a flip before landing gracefully on his feet a few inches away from Candy’s side. Now the police were aiming at Arrow. “Stop he’s telling the truth! He’s the Arrow, from Matropolis! He asked me to help the girls inside!” The officers looked upon the, seemingly, equally young hero. They all found many arrow shafts around the crime scene, as well as several criminals caught in complex, high tech traps, even some of them were pinned to the wall by arrows. “Please, let me help them?” Candy asked. The officers all glanced at each other, they weren’t sure what the Blue Lantern could do to help the girls inside. But they surely weren’t having any luck getting them out. “Alright, follow me,” said a female officer. Candy and Arrow thanked her and proceeded inside. Candy got to see the full scope of what Arrow did, whistling impressively at his handy work. But she also saw the cages, the water pans, the ratty blankets and mattresses, and the center stage with a big electronic sign on it, the words frozen on there read “Current Bid: $5,000”.  The officer led them further back, the area seemed to slump downwards the farther they went. Finally they arrived at the back half of the warehouse. Metal crates were opened, showing all of the cowering young girls who hid from the presence of the police, dozens upon dozens of crates, all stacked in tiers in threes. “We’ve been trying to get them out, but no luck. We thought that they were just afraid of the male officers, since, well, you can guess why. So myself and other female officers came in, no weapons, trying to calm them so that they can leave this place. But apparently that didn’t work either. They’re afraid of leaving.” “Why would they be, if you’re here then why wouldn’t they leave?” Candy asked. “Conditioning. They’ve been conditioned to not leave this place, most likely not without one of the scum who worked her escorting them. The girls must’ve been taught that escaping or any sign of resistance or cooperation with the police would cost them their lives. No doubt it has for them to be this afraid of you.” “You’re right kid, and until we can convince them otherwise they’ll stay there, unable to see that they’re free.” A bright blue glow started to emanate from Candy’s ring. She lifted up her right hand and looked at it; Saint Hope had told her long ago that the ring’s light could sense those who needed hope, that the light was almost sentient. When it glowed, Candy needed to trust in the blue light, and believe that all will be well. The Blue Lantern broke from Arrow and the officer, walking down towards the center of the room so that all could see her. The girls hid in the long metal crates, and at the same time were curious as to what was happening. “All of you, you needn’t be afraid anymore! The ones who have done this to you are going away for a long time, so please, come on out.” The girls all looked fearfully at each other, a war raging in their minds. They wanted to leave, they had prayed to ever since they were first brought there, but the fear of leaving this place, of having everything that was done to them known to everyone out there, to have the people see what those criminals had done to them. How could they even think of going back? Candy could sense it through her ring, their fear was still strong. I can’t let them remain chained to this darkness, it’s time they saw the light, saw that there are those who still pray for their safe return! The Blue Lantern raised her right fist into the air and closed her eyes. The light of the ring shined forth, lighting up the warehouse and bathing everything in cerulean light. Candy brought her left hand into a prayer position and closed her eyes in concentration. “Ring, restore their hope!” The light took form near each girl. Bodies began to form, neither construct nor illusion, but something else, their manifested hope. The light beings took the form of brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, whole families, friends, and lovers, each one either embracing the girl they were there for, or speaking to them the words they needed to hear. The girls who had hidden in the crates all started to exit them, coalescing in the center as they saw their loved ones once more through the light of hope. “Don’t you see, all of them never stopped looking, never stopped praying and believing that you’d one day return to them safe and sound?! You no longer need to be chained to the darkness, a darkness that you were thrown into without pity or regard! Now is the time to step back into the light, can you all do that?” The girls, all hundreds of dozens of them, glanced to each other and nodded firmly as they smiled. [Hope detected.] The ring released another wave of light, enveloping the girls’ bodies. The calming, soothing light washed over them like a relieving hot shower. The power of the ring healed their scars, their bruises, their broken bones, any and every internal and external injury was completely erased by this wondrous light. When the light dimmed, Candy lowered her hand, opened her eyes and smiled at the girls whom she had helped. Candy stuck around, along with Arrow, to see that the police had a handle on the girls and the situation. Once they were assured that the captured girls would be taken care of, both heroes departed from the warehouse, scaling the rooftops as they left from the crime scene. Arrow stopped a moment, making Candy slow to a hover. “What’s wrong Arrow?” “You did a great thing back there Blue Lantern.” Candy smiled and blushed from the compliment. “Thank you, I wish I could’ve done more though. Maybe if I had gotten here sooner I could’ve helped you out, and them, sooner,” “I don’t doubt you we would’ve made a formidable team in dispensing those with those criminals, but you came at the right time as far as I’m concerned, now at least they have a chance of returning home and back to their lives.” “Well, it’s been nice meeting you Arrow, but I outta go. Green Lantern’s going to get worried if I don’t –” [Warning: Enemy attack!] Candy and Arrow turned to their right just in time to see a raging fire blast head straight for them. The Blue Lantern quickly got in front of Arrow, focusing her aura, she manipulated it to form giant hands. She brought both hands together and thrust them forward, creating a wedge that split the flames in half and away from Arrow. When the flames died down, Candy returned her aura to its normal state and entered a fighting stance. Arrow quickly notched a trick arrow in his bow, drawing it back and preparing to fight whatever it was that attacked them. It stood on two legs, its body big and bulky, wearing dark gold colored armor, and an omega symbol on its chest. It had large membrane wings, sharp talons, and big sharp teeth. The creature snarled and growled as some embers wafted from its mouth with each breath it took. “Blue Lantern, it seems you’re here in time to help me with another fight,” said Arrow.   “Looks like,” agreed Candy. *RAAAAAAAAARGH!!!*