Text

"Ring Speaking"

"Telepathy"

"Dialogue"

"Dialogue in a language I can't understand."

Breaks…..

Chapters in this story will be named after Sum 41 songs

Chapter 3: My Direction

"Huh, that's just about the last person I expected," I say.

My ring gave me a message that says "Notification: Avery Ho."

Avery Ho, the future Flash of China. Or at least that is what happens in the comics. In the comics, there is some sort of speed-force storm in whatever city the flash is from. I don't remember because I wasn't really a Flash fan. Anyway, this storm gave a bunch of people speed powers and everyone except for Avery loses them. Eventually, she goes to China to become the Flash of China. I only put her on my notification list on a whim. And because I did that for everyone I could even half remember.

However, according to this article, she was just a high school student who was caught up in the storm. The article itself focuses on the fact that according to a news leak from S.T.A.R. Labs she now has control of her powers and is planning on becoming a hero, but there is no mention of where she is planning on going.

Hopefully, I can convince her to join my team.

Before I fly over to Central City I should probably recharge my ring really quick, right now it's only at 18% charge. I probably shouldn't have waited so long.

I summon my Lantern out of the subspace pocket and prepare to say the Blue Lantern oath when I realize I don't know it.

"Ring, what is the Blue Lantern oath again?"

"In fearful day, in raging night,

With strong hearts full, our souls ignite.

When all seems lost in the War of Light,

Look to the stars, for hope burns bright."

"Cool, thanks."

I take a deep breath and belt out "IN FEARFUL DAY! IN RAGING NIGHT! WITH HEARTS FULL! OUR SOULS IGNITE! WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST IN THE WAR OF LIGHT! LOOK TO THE STARS! FOR HOPE BURNS BRIGHT!"

My ring charges up to 63%, I really need to get my own oath to say. As long as I use this one I will only charge 35% each time and after just the first one I'm out of breath.

After taking a bit to catch my breath I say the oath again. Now that I am up to 98% I think I'm good.

I take off into the sky and tell my ring to double-time it to Central City. While I'm flying I notice that the reason that I ring got the notification is because that article had Avery's name in it. Which means that everyone knows her identity. That could be a problem. But i'll just deal with that later.

Speaking of secret identities, Why did I use Ravager's? I would have thought that I would know better than to slip up like that. I have been feeling odd since I got here.

"Ring, why do I feel different? I feel like normally I wouldn't have normally made the mistake of using Rose Wilson's real name. Is there something wrong with me?"

"It is impossible to determine why exactly why you do anything. Although there are several things that are impairing your judgment that could have factored into your decision making."

"Such as?'

"You are still experiencing symptoms of shock, most likely due to recent events. Another factor is that your body is now 13, therefore all of your hormones have reverted to the state they were back to when you were 13. This will take some time to get used to."

"Does this mean I have to finish puberty all over again?"

"Yes."

"Shit."

Maybe that is why I was so quick to trust Ravager? No, I guess I was quick to trust her to fulfill a contract to the letter. Besides, I'm pretty sure she has some redemptive qualities in the comics. Maybe paying her to be a hero might transfer into her actually becoming a hero? I mean, she is like 15 and plenty of people who were criminals when they were juveniles lead productive lives as adults. Considering her dad is Deathstroke she didn't even have a chance to be "good", that is until now. I'll give her that chance.

Anyways, I'm excited to potentially get a speedster on the team. That opens up a ton of possibilities. All I have to do is convince her to join up. And convince her to call herself something other than something-flash. There are already enough of those.

Although I can't really judge considering I am going to be called Blue Lantern.

As I'm thinking about names that sound "fast" I get a notification that I am approaching Central City.

…..

When I reach Central City I realize that walking into S.T.A.R. Lab's front door might not work. Besides, who knows if she is still there?

"Ring, scan for objects and people moving at superhuman speeds. Also, give me directions to Avery Ho's home."

"Scanning, there are currently two people moving at superhuman speeds, now 3, now 1, now 2 n…"

"Stop, just tell me if any of them stop for a significant amount of time, especially if they stop near Avery's home or S.T.A.R. Labs."

I start flying towards Avery's home. Maybe I can talk to her parents or something to set up a meeting.

…..

I told the ring to stop trying to track their movements after a few minutes. It was having a lot of trouble trying to keep up with them and constantly got confused. It did mention that it would probably able to track them if I had "A sufficient amount of Hope" but I guess I'll have to do this the old-fashioned way.

When I start getting closer to her house (a two-story building in the suburbs just outside of the city) I tell my ring to adopt stealth mode. When I am only two blocks away I change into civilian clothes which the ring must have had all along. A blue T-shirt, dark blue jeans, a blue belt, blue and white shoes. Not the best clothing choice considering there is snow on the ground but my ring is keeping me warm anyways.

I get to the door and ring the bell. Instead of a normal noise coming out of it jingle bells plays. I guess these guys stay in the holiday spirit even into January?

After a few seconds, I hear the door unlock and a middle-aged woman opens the door. She looks at me and asks "Do you go to Avery's school?"

Thanks for the cover story, Mrs. Ho.

"Yeah, I saw that article about her being able to control her powers. So I figured she might be home. I thought I'd just swing on by." I reply.

"That's very nice of you, come on in you must be freezing. Avery! Someone from school is here to see you! And its a boy!" Mrs. Ho says with a wink.

I probably look a bit out of place considering I'm not dressed for the weather.

Mrs. Ho lets me inside and goes into a home office, either to get some work done or to give her daughter some privacy. I wipe off my shoes, an action which my ring makes pointless because it automatically cleans them anyway.

I kneel to start taking off my shoes because I don't want to be rude when I hear a rush of air. It stops abruptly and I feel a rush of air touch me.

"Who are you?" a terse voice says.

How come literally everyone gets the drop on me?

I stand up and see a tall and thin 16-year-old girl of Chinese decent looking at me with suspicion.

I take a deep breath and extend my right hand "My name is Jon and I am the Blue Lantern, I am forming a team to combat threats from other realities in addition to fighting crime. I'd like for you to join that team."

This seems to startle her. Then another emotion comes across her face, is it disappointment?

Avery says "I'm flattered that you want me to join your team but I have 3 concerns. First, I have never heard of a "Blue Lantern". Second, I'm pretty new to the whole superhero thing. And third, I have to adopt a new identity soon to protect my family."

"I am also pretty new to this "superhero thing" and that is probably why you have never heard of me. And I'm sure you and me can work something out with your secret identity." I reply.

She smiles and says "It's not me that you would have to work that out with."

That's when I feel someone tap my shoulder. I stand around and the Flash is leaning up against the doorframe.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me! Even you snuck up on me! You're called the Flash! You wear a bright red and yellow costume! You leave a bright red streak behind you when you run!" I yell.

"Warning, an object moving at superhuman speeds is approaching." My ring says out loud for some reason.

"THANKS FOR TELLING ME A FULL TEN SECONDS AFTER HE GETS HERE!" I yell at my ring.

"Dude… chill," Avery says.

After closing my eyes and taking a deep breath I say "Sorry, I've had a bit of a stressful day and he is like the 4th person to get the drop on me today. Just F.Y.I. I'd never yell at someone on my team unless they put pineapple on pizza."

"I like putting pineapple on my pizza, with a little bit of ham it's great," Flash says.

I wheel around at Flash, point at him and yell "HERETIC!"

"I'm just kidding, I don't care," I add.

"So… why are you here?" I ask Flash.

"..."

"I'm here because the league is watching Avery and her family until they can get new identities. Also, I'm here to take you in for an "interview" with Batman," Flash answers.

"Can I come?" Avery asks.

"I don't see why not. Follow me," Flash replies.

I'm about to protest when Flash grabs me by the arm and starts pulling me along at a ridicules speed.

…..

We are moving way to fast for me to tell where we are going. I don't know how the sudden change in velocity didn't just turn me into flesh-jelly but I guess I'll just put it down as video game physics being weird. Oh! Velocity would be a cool superhero name for Avery. Also since I haven't eaten all day the thought of flesh-jelly makes my stomach growl. Ugh.

When we stop and the Flash lets go of me I immediately drop to my knees, I'm so dizzy I almost throw up but I manage to hold it together.

We are in what looks like an interrogation room. I pull myself into a metal chair and wait for my vision to clear.

When it does I ask "So where is Batman? Wasn't he going to interrogate me or something?"

A growly voice from behind me says "Right now this is an interview. Trust me when I tell you that if this was an interrogation you would know it."

"Fifth,"

"What?" Batman asks.

"Your the fifth person to sneak up on me today," I say.

"Who else?" Batman asks.

"Well in reverse order, Batman, Flash, Avery, Ravager and Death," I answer.

Batman glares at me and says "I'm not in the mood for hyperbole, tell me who the first person was."

"I'm not exaggerating, Death snuck up on me. Like the actual Death. Death of the Endless. You know the hot goth girl?" I reply.

Batman glares at me some more then he turns to the Flash and says "Call Wonder Woman. We're going to need the lasso."

"Is this going to take a while? I have a meeting to get to." I say.

…..

Even though I have the feeling that keeping Rose Wilson waiting is a bad idea I am very excited to meet Wonder Woman. She is my favorite D.C. superhero. Well, her and Batman. Speaking of B-man I'm pretty happy to be sitting in front of him even if I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me.

Meeting the Flash is whatever.

When Wonder Woman walks in I actually notice her, which is a refreshing change of pace.

"Why are you smiling so much?" Avery asks me.

"Because Wonder Woman is here! She's awesome!" I reply.

"You didn't smile when I showed up," Flash says thoughtfully.

"Anyway, I'm a big fan of her and Batman," I add.

"You actually yelled at me when I showed up. And don't think that I didn't notice you not say my name there! " Flash adds, clearly a little upset.

"So this is the kid who said he's met Death?" Wonder Woman asks as she pulls out her lasso.

I start to say "Names Jon-" but Wonder Woman wraps the lasso around my hand so I say "My name is Jonathan but I prefer to be called Jon."

Batman stands up and Diana takes her place. While Batman was stern and threatening I could tell that Diana was going to take a much friendlier approach.

She smiles and says "Jon, did you really meet Death?"

"Yes I did, she's actually super nice," I say.

Dammit, that immediately makes all of my "staring Death in the eye" stuff sound way less cool.

Wonder Woman looks surprised by my answer but she recovers quickly. I'm not sure if she is more surprised that I met Death or that I think she is nice.

Batman throws a folder onto a metal table in between us, some he opens it up and I see some photos taken by a security camera that shows me and Rose talking.

"How do you know Ravager?" Batman asks.

"I hired her to join a team I'm making to take down villains from alternate realities," I answer.

"Why would you hire her? Why not go straight to the League?" Wonder Woman asks.

"I hired her because she was there, she knows her stuff, I can trust her to do what she's paid to do and she's pretty hot. There are two reasons I didn't go to the Justice League. One even though I know all of your secret identities I didn't just want to show up to Batman's house, that would be rude. Two, when I was brought to this reality these guys were kind of made my responsibility." I reply.

Now that really surprised them.

Speaking for the first time Avery says "Woah."

The God damn lasso of truth has me spilling my beans.

…..

Get it? Velocity is the speed of something in a given direction? And Avery's superhero name is gonna be Velocity? And the chapter is named after a sum 41 song called My direction?

…

…

…

I'm not funny.

Anyways do you guys have any suggestions of a new Blue Lantern Oath? Or just sentences that end with words that rhyme with light? I'm working on some stuff now but I suck at poetry.

Leave a review if yeh like?

Ashborn2271- Normally yes, but as someone who has had their hormone balance changed overnight and been given superpowers the decisions being made are not the best.

Doctor Doofenshmirtz- Glad you like it. I agree that the first chapter is a little generic. The first chapter for all of my stories except for "On Ice" is pretty similar. But I'm glad you liked the second chapter and I hope you like this one as well.

Btw I'm probably going to do another chapter of "On Ice" and maybe "Starbound Sorcerer" before I get another one of these out. It shouldn't take too long.