The one thing we have in this world that is truly ours, are dreams. Dreams are the one thing that keeps us sane. The one thing that no matter what happens, we still have something we can cherish even when the world starts to crumble at our feet. But what do you do when you have been 'alone' all your life and have never had a dream to call your own?

There were always two sides of Metropolis City. Though no one of the public knew this. There was the 'bright and sunny side' that was only shown to the world to convince everyone that it was a perfectly safe and well ran community. Kept up to date with white washed buildings, sky scrapers, and large advertising billboards for things like soda and flowers. The streets always clean and the stores always warm and inviting. But like everything in the world, it had a darker side to go along with its bright side. A ying to its yang.

The side of Metropolis that the public never saw was approximately about fifty miles on the outskirts of the main city, protected by the governments privately owned forest, a mixture of ancient oaks and thorn infested pines that wrapped around the city like a wall. Then to further keep out any citizens who got interested, a disease infected swamp laid a few feet into the forest, the smell from it worse than any toxins known to mankind, making anyone without a gas mask sick to their stomach almost instantly. With these natural walls up no one ever saw the small two story buildings, never bothered to go and see the horrors of what lied in the 'Care Home.' A building that could break even the strongest of men's wills and terrifies even the bravest of men with its forbidden secrets.

The bio weapons lab or the 'Care Home' as it was referred to in public rested between two ware house buildings, both boarded up and locked. The Care house resembled the color of mud, a bland shade of brown with a few darker shades of brown and hues of grays here and there from where the elements started to chew into the paint and bricks. The windows were painted black, the front door a giant slab of steel, no handle. The only way to enter was passing a retina test, a small scanner built into the door frame next to it. Even the slightest touch of the door would trigger the defense system; a thousand watts of electricity. The ground level was where the security guards rested; the second story was just for show. The only thing inhabiting that floor would be dust and swamp rats. The real fun was down stairs, deep in the earth there was a whole other 'city', a large systems of tunnels and laboratories, each built in with its own security and it's own 'building'. Though most of the rooms were never used, they were just there for if need arose. There were only three areas that were mostly ever used. The chemical testing laboratory, the training room, and the 'care room', a place to monitor and watch each weapon closely.

The sound of a car could be heard outside the Care Home, the tires squealing and sagging into the swampy earth as it pulled into the garage in the back. The sounds of car doors slamming were the only sounds that could be heard, aside from the frogs and crickets in the nearby swamp. Two figures, both in their mid-thirties walked to the front of the facility. The man who seemed to be leading was a tall man, standing roughly 6'1, his hair gone only skin, with piercing blue eyes that seem to scream for someone to challenge him. He sported a one of a kind black suit, perfectly tailored to fit like a second skin, showing off his well-toned muscles and the bulge in his pants pocket where a large hand gun sat. The other followed quickly behind him, looking at the building with narrowed blue eyes, hands wedged in his pockets. His hair was a dark brown, combed over, cut short, face clean shaven. He had a fighter's build; biceps clearly built up, the leather air force jacket giving him a 'rough' appearance. His pants fit like a second skin, and his footsteps were clear and précised, not faltering as the ground tried to suck in his black combat boots. He scowled as he sniffed the air, the smell of sulfur assaulting his senses. The man before him was Lex Luther, and he was going to be Hal Jordan's new boss, if he chose to accept the job of course.

"What is that horrifying smell?" Hal finally asked as he scrunched up his nose, the smell getting worse as they got closer to the door.

"There's a body decaying in the swamp not too far from here. A soldier gone rogue. Too risky to bury him." Expertly his fingers moved across the scanner keyboard, typing in his name as he lent in to scan his eye.

"I see." Hal was not fazed; things like this were common in his line of work. "So tell me Mr. Luther, what exactly will I be doing here?" The door opened with a bang, revealing the 'break room', a shabby small room with fading lights and an old shag rug the color of vomit. Pressed against the wall was a beat up leather couch, the leather ripped away on the cushion and the springs pressing through, next to it sat a water cooler, the water a nasty shade of green, mold growing off the handles.

"I will tell you in due time." The door shut with an omniscient slam, making the room echo the noise. This for some reason brought chills to Hal, the room felt to be closing in on him, and the lighting made his vision work twice as hard to see. "Follow me and stay close. " Lex Luther didn't wait for an answer, he made his way to the far side of the room, opening the door the same way, gesturing for Hal to follow.

Without a word Hal followed, back straight, eyes and ears straining to take in all the sights and sounds. He was a trained pilot, being sharp and on alert was something that was now imbedded into him. He always made sure to walk exactly two steps behind his guide, far enough for if he had to sprint, and close enough to launch an attack if need be. He brought his left hand out of his pocket, fiddling with a green ring that was on his middle finger. "Interesting ring you have there. A gift from a girlfriend?"

"No. A ring I got…from an old friend." His hand went back into his pocket. He knew what happened to people who were 'different', people who tried to be 'heroes', they were carted off. "Mr. Luther, before I take one more step, tell me exactly what you want from me." Hals arms crossed, his brows furrowing, he meant business.

"Strong willed and moxy. We need someone like you." Luther stopped in his tracks, turning to look at him, his smug smile plastered on his face. "Your job will be monitoring our little Gift from above." Eyebrows shot up at this, eyes meeting his.

"Gift from above? You make it sound like it is alive."

A cold chuckle escaped Luthers lips, his eyes barring into his. "Mr. Jordan, this is a biological weapons laboratory station, we making living weapons. Our weapons are very much alive."

Eyes didn't widen, no matter how much he wanted them to. He had to stay calm as he looked at the bald man, breathe hitching slightly. "Alive?"

"Yes. And the weapon you will be watching is the key to destroying this world and rebuilding it. His name is Project Zero." Lex took a step closer to him. "This project is a secret and we have rule. if you talk to anyone outside this facility about this your throat will be slit and your body will join the others in the swamp. And no one will know what happened of poor Mr. Jordan who got lost in the woods on a camping trip."

Authors note:

This is basically a side story in the Flashpoint series mixed in with some of mine and my lovely girlfriends ideas. If you get confused please re-read rather then getting frustrated. Also Reviews are appreciated and as always, Momma loves you 3