So Young, So Fearless

The first thing I ever saw coming into the world, was a yellow flash. The first thing I ever felt coming into the world, was fear. The yellow seemed to radiate the fear. I heard loud noises around me. Screams, crashes, explosions, the list goes on. There were two loud sounds and suddenly my face was splattered with a wet, red liquid. Then a green shine appeared. It drove away the yellow and the fear. I saw a purple face that held sadness and pity. He reached down and placed his hand on my head.

"The fear has taken so much from you already young one. You already have such hardships in front of you for one so young. Be strong. Have no fear. Have a strong will. It will help you get through everything."

With that he left. The fear didn't return in his absence.

"She's so young. Are you sure she's the one?"

"Yes I'm sure! Look, right there, she's even wearing the ring right now!"

There was the sound of a smack to the head. "Don't be a smartalec Jordan. I've never heard of a lantern so young."

"I'm sure she's reliable. But you are right. She can't be any older than ten years old."

I groaned, stirring from my sleep. I had that dream again. The dream about the yellow light killing my parents. And the purple face surrounded by a green light. Opening my eyes I looked up into the faces of an African American man with a white brown haired man behind him, the second man wearing a mask. They were the Green Lanterns I had seen on the TV at the orphanage.

"Well look who's up."

They both smiled at me as I sat up and stared at them. I was sitting in the presence of my favorite heroes. I've always wanted to be like them. The man with the brown hair held his hand out for me, pulling me to my feet when I grabbed it. "What's your name kid?"

No response.

He gave me a confused look. "Hey are you alright kid?"

Still, no response.

"Come on."

"Jordan! If she doesn't want to talk to us she doesn't have to." The other man looked at me with a reassuring smile. "Sorry about him. You can talk when you want to."

"Yeah well we need to get her to Oa, John. Kilowag will be ticked if we delay her training."

"Yes. We need to tell her parents first." They both looked at me expectantly. "Can you take us to where you live?" Hesitating slightly, I nodded. Grabbing their hands I led them through the thick forest I had learned to navigate my entire life. It was the only place I could go to get peace in the orphanage. Leading them out of the trees we came out across the street from my home. Releasing Jordans hand I pointed much to their shock.

"She's an orphan!? No wonder she doesn't talk!"

"What are we going to do? We can't tell the people that run the joint, can we?"

They go quiet as John picks me up. I push my face into his shoulder as we stay in silence. Suddenly he moves towards the building. "John, what are you doing?"

"What needs to be done."

The green outfit he wears disappears, replaced by black pants, a white shirt, and a brown coat. He walks into the orphanage and heads right for the caretaker.

She looks up in question. "I'd like to adopt this girl."

Her eyes widen and she gets up excitedly. "Oh that's wonderful! She's been looking for a family since the day she was born. I'm sure that with time you can get her to talk!"

For the next half hour I watch as they both fill out the necessary paper work for adoption. I was surprised when the words left his mouth. No one had taken interest in me before. "You know she's always been different from other kids. Much more willful than others. And I've never seen a drop of fear out of her." I wince when she says that. She always says that to people and it drives them away.

"I view that as a good thing."

I relax. He's fine with it. I'm happy that someone doesn't view it as a bad thing. As he leaves the orphanage I grew up in I start to drift. I slowly descend into the darkness of sleep.

When I wake up I'm in a dark room. It has a window in it and what's outside suggests that I'm not on Earth anymore. The buildings were way alien and everything was glowing green. Then I saw my reflection.

My long brown hair was pulled up into braids curled around my head like a crown, and it had glowing green beads woven into it. Green streaks came from the corners of my blue eyes, shimmering in the light that came from the window. I wore a full body green suit with the Green Lantern symbol on the front of it. It had black armor boots that came up to my knees, black fingerless gloves, and a shawl like green fabric around my shoulders.

Whoa.

"I see you are awake, young Tanya."

Whipping around, I see a big fish man with a beak.

"No I'm not a talking fish. Hal Jordan had the same reaction."

He turned to the door, gesturing for me to follow him. He leads me down the hallway to the outside of the building. "Welcome to Oa. Home of the Green Lantern Corp. How about a history lesson? Thousands of years ago the Guardians of the universe harnessed the emerald energy of will power. They created rings from the energy, and for the ring to choose one they must be without fear. And the ring never makes a mistake. In fact there is no sign that you even hold the capability for fear. You have the strongest will anyone has seen." He bent down to grab my hand. "Come along now. Let us fly."

He dragged me over the edge of the building causing a green light to surround us. And we floated. He gave me what I assumed was a smile before leading me off. He gave me the grand tour of the place. Power battery, book of Oa, the Guardians Citadel, the whole shebang. Right when he told me we were going to meet the other Earth Lanterns a red man passed us. He gave me this look that sent chills down my spine.

"That's Sinestro. Avoid him. Something has been different about him lately. No one knows what it is but it is not for the better."

Then I fly into something solid. Facing forward I see a green chest. Looking up I see a pink face. "Ah you've met Kilowag. He trains recruits."

"So this is the new human that Jordan told me about. She's a runt."

"She is also very young for her race, Kilowag. Take it easy on her. At least until she's ready for your harsh methods."

I remember my manners from the orphanage and stick my hand out. He looks confused and just stares at my hand.

"She wants to shake your hand, big guy."

Turning we see Jordan and my new caretaker. "Shake my hand?"

"It's an Earth tradition. Take her hand in yours and go like this." The two other humans demonstrate how to shake hands.

Looking down at me he gently engulfs my hand in his VERY large one and shakes. "Nice to meet you kid."

So Kilowag and Tomar Re, the fish guy, ended up being two of my best friends. They don't mind that I never say anything. No one does. That is no one but Sinestro. He hates me for no obvious reason. He actually seems to hate everyone for no obvious reason.

Kilowags training wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be. He constantly called me his best and favorite student. And for five years I've gone back and forth between Earth and Oa to be trained by John and Kilowag. I even get side lessons from Tomar Re about different technology that they normally don't teach others. He always calls me his favorite as well. I think Jordan is jealous.

My suit hasn't changed. I still have everything I did five years ago. My hair is just down in a regular braid now with the beads hanging loosely around it.

Anyway at the current moment John and I are on Earth. Some chick with ice powers is terrorizing a city in Arizona. Didn't quite catch her name. So we go in and take her down. Piece of cake. Just as she's arrested I take off.

'Today is the day!'

I finally get to meet the others I've heard so much about. Aqualad, Robin, Kid Flash, and Speedy. For the past five years John and Jordan told me about them but I've never been able to meet them because I've been so busy. Now I'm FINALLY getting my chance.

I made a beeline for the Hall of Justice where we were all suppose to meet. Flying up I see a group of six. Batman and Robin, Aquaman and Aqualad, Green Arrow and Speedy. Shouldn't Flash and Kid Flash be the first ones here? You know the whole fastest people on Earth thing. Landing a few feet away I see Batman put a hand on Robins shoulder and say, "Today is the day."

"Welcome to the Hall of Justice."

"Head Quarters of the Justice League."

John and I walk up and they finally take notice as the two late not so fast men dashed up. "Aw MAN! I knew we'd be the last ones here!" Kid Flash complained as his mentor raised an eyebrow at him. Then he noticed me and his eyes widened. "Well, HELLO!" He dashed up to me. "What's your name?"

John spoke up. "Her name is Tanya. She's had a rough life and doesn't talk to anyone. Don't take it personally, she's known the entire Green Lantern Corp for years and hasn't said a word to anyone." He came up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder. "I could tell from the way she beelined it here from Arizona that she's excited to meet all of you."

Nodding my head I grinned at them. Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad return the smile while Speedy nods to me.

"It's great to meet you! Don't worry, you'll warm up to us!"

"Totally whelmed to meet you!"

"It is a pleasure."

"Now don't we have some where to be?"

They all snap to attention when Batman reminds us about the induction.

Grinning we all make our way to the Hall. I was so excited to see the Watchtower from the inside for the first time.

Through the chatter of the paparazzi I hear Green Arrow ask Speedy, "Ready to see the Inner Sanctum?"

"Born ready!"

"Glad we're all here."

"Have all fou.. FIVE sidekicks ever been in the same place at the same time?"

"DON'T call us sidekicks. Not after today."

"Sorry, first time at the Hall. I'm a little overwhelmed."

"Your overwhelmed, Freeze was underwhelmed, why isn't anyone ever just whelmed?"

To answer his question I write out in green letters in front of his face:

cover with water: to engulf or submerge something in water

He looks over at me in shock before looking forward without a word. Then we enter the hall to see several large golden statues. "Whoa."

Then Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter, he should really change that name, come out of an automatic door to greet us. "Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Green Lantern. Welcome." No emotion. He turns around and starts the tour of the hall.

At least Tomar said more than my name and welcome.

"You now have access to the gym, our fully stocked café, and of course our library."

"Make yourselves at home."

What. Not what I was expecting. What about the watch tower. No? Ok, that's cool. Why does it look like the only other one contemplating this is Speedy? The others just went to the furniture in the room and sat down.

Oh well.

I went over to Aqualad as the mentors spoke and Speedy stared at them with beady eyes from behind his mask. He gave me a questioning look before I wrote out:

'What's Atlantis like?'

He smiled at me and started to speak while KF looked like he was about to die.

"That's it?"

Aqualads description was interrupted by Speedys out burst.

"You promised us a real looking side. Not a glorified back stage pass." He is right.

"It's a first step. You've been granted access few others get."

"Oh really?" His had went up to point out a window with people on the other side taking pictures. I didn't even notice that was there. "Who cares what side of the glass we're on?"

"Roy, you just need to be patient."

"What I need is respect." He turned to the rest of us. "They're treating us like kids, worse, like sidekicks! We deserve better than this!"

I nod while the rest of them look at each other then back at Speedy.

His eyes were wide with disbelief. "You're kidding, right? You're playing their game? WHY!? Today was suppose to be The day!" Oh chopping the air is fun. "Step one of becoming full fledged members of the League."

"Well, sure. But I thought step one was a tour of the HQ."

At that I snapped. I sent a construct in the form of a question mark into the middle of the room. I gave KF a disbelieving look before getting up in Flashs face with my index finger and an accusing gaze.

"You know?"

I turn to Speedy with a dead-pan look, tilting my head to the right, and holding my had with my power ring up.

"...right." He turned back to the others while Flash cowered under my glare. "Except the Hall isn't the Leagues HQ. I bet they never told you it's just a false front for tourists, and a pit stop for picking up zeta tubes to the real thing! An orbiting satellite called the watch tower!" The other mentors gave Green Arrow a look. And while they talked I looked at the others.

"You deserve respect. You have mine." They all looked at me shocked. "Hey I'm not incapable of speech."

"Hey, Mini GL! Since they won't tell us how did you find out."

"I pass it going to and from the GL HQ. And you know what the Watchtower probably isn't anywhere as cool as Oa. I mean Oa has a Kilowag."

They gave me a confused look so I made a construct of Kilowag and their eyes widened.

"You're not helping your cause here, son. Stand down or..."

"Or what? You'll send me to my room? And I'm not your son. I'm not even his. I thought I was his partner. But... not anymore." He threw down his hat and stormed to the door. We all watched him wide eyed. "Guess they're right about you four. You're not ready."

We watch him as he leaves and then hear a beeping. "Superman to Justice League. There's been an explosion at Project Cadmus. It's on fire."

"I've had my suspicions about Cadmus. This may prove the perfect opportunity to..."

"Zatara to Justice League! The sorcerer Wotan is using the amulet of Arten to blot out the sun. Requesting full League response."

"Superman?"

"It's a small fire. Local authorities have it under control."

"Then Cadmus can wait." He presses a button on the console. "All Leaguers rondevu at Zataras coordinates. Batman out." He turns to us. "Stay put."

"What!? WHY!?"

The other mentors came up. "This is a League mission."

"You're not trained..."

"Since WHEN?!"

"I meant you're not trained to be apart of this team."

KF scowled and glanced at me. "Mini GL, what do you think?" I just glared to my mentor, the streaks on my face flaring brightly. "And we're back to silence."

"Anyway, there will be other missions. When you're ready."

"But for now," He narrowed his eyes, "stay put."

They all left to save the sun, Red Tornado glancing at us momentarily before following his team mates.

"When we're ready? How are we ever suppose to be ready when they treat us like sidekicks?" He threw his hands down in frustration.

"My mentor, my king, I thought he trusted me."

"I thought my mentor knew I'm one of the strongest Green Lanterns out there." They all looked at me. "What?"

"Trust? They don't even trust us with the basics! They've got a secret HQ in SPACE!"

"What else aren't they telling us?"

"I have a better question. Why didn't we leave with Speedy?"

We all looked down, disappointed.

"What is Project Cadmus?"

"Don't know. But I can find out." Robin started to tap away at the console as we came up to him. Access Denied. "Wanna bet?" He made a bunch of code flash in front of the screen.

"Whoa. How are you doing that?"

"Same system as the bat cave." He had this impish little grin on his face."

Access Granted

"Alright, Project Cadmus. Genetics lab. Here in D.C. That's all there is. But if Batmans suspicious, maybe we should investigate."

"Solve their own case before they do. It would be poetic justice."

"Hey they're all about justice."

Aqualad sighed. "But they said stay put."

"For the blotting out the sun mission. Not this."

"Wait are you going to Cadmus? Because if you're going, I'm going." They both smiled at Aqualad.

I popped up in between them. "Can I come?"

"Of course you can Babe."

I ignored him as I joined them in staring at Aqualad.

"Just like that, we're a team on a mission."

"We didn't come for a play date."

We all smirked at each other and took off for the address Robin got from the file. Kid Flash in the lead, Robin up next, followed by me pulling Aqualad by his hand.

This will show our mentors.

Please R&R