A Shrinking Universe

A HightoppsMadness Fanfiction

Author's Note: All characters not invented by HightoppsMadness are the property of DC Comics and their respective creators. All events depicted in the following chapters are fictitious and should not be used in a history report (you will fail the class if you do this). The following story revolves around the Green Lantern Corps and the Justice League's Atom, otherwise known as Dr. Ray Palmer, and takes place after the series 'Blackest Night'. If these characters are not interesting to you, please read a different story. Thank you for reading a HightoppsMadness fanfiction today! ^U^

"Have you found the problem yet?" the radio connection blared in Ray's ear.

"No, I haven't," Ray ground out. Patience was a virtue that Guy Gardener just didn't posses. "Maybe if you gave me more than thirty seconds, I could solve the problem."

"Well, it makes me uneasy when the ring isn't working. There could be some major shit going down and I'd never know it." Guy's voice had an edge to it.

"I'm sure if anything bad were to happen in the next few minutes, Hal and Kyle could handle it, if not just the JLA." Ray bent over to inspect the green surface he was standing on. "Aha. You've let this thing get covered in microorganisms. What have you done while wearing this thing?"

"I'd rather not say. Ice would get mad."

"Eww. So I'm standing on your ring that's covered in-" Ray shook his head. "Wow. That's just gross." He increased his size and jumped off the ring to stand before his red headed acquaintance.

"Sorry, maybe I should've told you before you went in there." Guy rubbed the back of his neck, his green vest shifting as he did so.

"Yeah, you should've. Just go wash your hands and ring in antibacterial soap, then germ-X the shit out of that thing. It should work after that."Ray checked his schedule. "Crap, I've gotta meeting in half an hour, and I feel like I need a shower. I guess on my way there I'll walk through a raindrop or something." Ray waved to his embarrassed colleague. "See you later, Guy. I promise I won't tell Ice. But seriously, take your ring off when you do stuff like that. You can't have that thing busted every other week. And I'm not going in there again."

"Yeah, yeah, go to your fancy meeting." Guy waved him off.

After he washed his hands and disinfected his power ring, it began to glow a brighter green. Guy took it back to his lantern, adorned with the Michigan sticker on the side, and said the Green Lantern's oath.

"In brightest day, In blackest night, No evil will escape my sight. Let all who worship evil's might, Beware my power. Green Lantern's Light!"

Immediately, the ring gave out a report. "New Sigma Lantern is being chosen."

"Sigma Lantern? What in Hell is a Sigma Lantern?" Guy asked the ring.

"A new faction of the Green Lanterns. Sigma Lanterns are assigned to the center of the Multiverse, Earth. Only two may exist at one time, as it is not a sector, but is recognized as an important checkpoint." the ring replied.

"Er, thanks, ring." Guy looked at the green ring on his hand. "I'm sorry about the whole, um, yeah, you know."

"Damage has been repaired, all is forgiven, Honor Lantern." the ring intoned. "Sigma Lantern has been chosen. Welcome to the Green Lanterns, Sara Cambridge of Earth."

/O/

The heat was sweltering in South Africa, the streets filled with people milling about. The colors of their skin was inconsequential, as the sun beat on the light and dark skinned alike. Among them was a woman. She was a statuesque five foot ten, her hair clipped into a loose bun. The strands that escaped were plastered to her head. It was the summer, and the wind had been dry and hot. Sara hated this weather. Her brown eyes scanned the crowd. Her boyfriend Jeremiah was supposed to meet her at the kiosk half an hour ago. He was usually late, though. His job as a small business owner usually left him with little free time.

She wiped her brow, revealing her pale skin to the sun. Sara usually covered herself, as her alabaster skin burned quickly in the light. A curl of cherrywood colored hair escaped the confines of the bun and dangled near her face. A tall, broad man bumped into her. She tried to not take any notice, but he had stuck around.

"Hey," he growled at her, his deep voice sending a subtle vibration through her sternum. "You bumped into me. Apologize."

"I did no such thing, sir. I'm sorry if you're too aggressive to consider yourself the one to run into others." she stated. Her defiance was met with a snarl.

"Bitch!" the man grabbed her. She was not afraid. She never was. Sara had enough bruises to prove that it never ended well, but she was not one to back down. "I'll show you aggressive!"

"Sara!" called a voice from the crowd. It was Jeremiah, coming to help her too little, too late. "Sara, just apologize!" he pacifistic nature wouldn't allow for any pride.

"No, he was the one at fault. I don't fear this man, and I shouldn't." She looked into the large dark man's eyes. She saw fear in them, just as he saw will in hers.

'New Sigma Lantern is being chosen.' a voice called. It was melodious, but inhuman. It didn't frighten Sara, but it did surprise her. No one else seemed to have heard it, but Jeremiah started yelling.

"What is that? It looks like a ring!" he screeched, and the large man dropped Sara. She landed hard on the ground, and people fled from her. She didn't understand. What was the problem that had everyone panicking?

A green ring floated towards her, glowing with an eerie light. Sara was not afraid, but intrigued, almost hypnotized by the sight. It flew towards her.

'Sara Cambridge. You have the ability to overcome great fear. You also have great love within you. Welcome to the Green Lanterns, Sigma Lantern Sara Cambridge of Earth.' It intoned as it flew upon her finger.

/O/