/O/

The city of Metropolis was as safe as it could be. With Superman taking care of the big problems and the duo Phoenix and Dragon protecting the suburbs, one would think the little people of the city would be perfectly fine. One would be wrong. When heroes are needed, they are needed for a reason. The crime rates in Metropolis were nothing like Gotham or Blüdhaven, but they were not utopic.

Orion Xeron knew that personally. His back was slick with the cold sweat that slid down his back, soaking his button up oxford shirt, its baby blue becoming dark. His wide blue eyes switched warily from the blade gleaming maliciously to the gang member holding it. He didn't like the feeling of the situation, but that little girl needed his help. He had hoped she had gone to find help. She probably left him for dead. Well, that sucked.

He felt the fear in the back of his spine, in his mind. This man was twice his size, and built like a cat. Orion was not nearly as agile, strong, or fast. But he had immense willpower, and that was what mattered in a fight.

'New Sigma Lantern being chosen.'

Orion turned his attention away from the man to the inhuman voice. It was enough to illicit the man's advance. Orion managed to avoid the blade, when the call returned.

'Orion Xeron of Earth. You have the ability to overcome great fear. You also have great compassion in your heart. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps, Sigma Lantern Orion Xeron.'

A green ring floated before him, and the sight made the gang member pause.

"Oh, shit. You're one of those weirdos. The ones with the rings. I'm so outta here." the gang member took off, leaving Orion with the strange glowing ring. It stayed before him, and he held his arm out to it.

The ring slid upon his finger, and he felt the power surge through him. For once, he felt scared of his own strength.

/O/

Sara was confused. How could something like this happen to her? Stuff like this only happened in really rare situations, like some kind of lottery of the universe. She was the one who won.

The power she wielded was calling her, and could be very easily abused, and she knew that. But she also knew she was chosen for a noble reason; rings that glow don't just pick some poozer to defend a sector. Poozer... that brought the current situation to mind. She was flat on her back with a large pinkish...being?...looming above her. The lantern chuckled and helped her up.

"You know, Poozer, you've got some of the worst reflexes I've ever seen. You're worse than the other Sigma. But I see some potential." the being laughed again. This was Kilowog, the training officer that she and this young man from Metropolis had started sparring with. The young man was named Orion, not that she cared much, but she knew she had to work with him for a long time, so she made the best of it. If he didn't act so overeager all the time...

"So what's next?" Orion asked excitedly. Sara sighed. He was like a little kid.

""You can't start running if you can't crawl." Kilowog lectured, then turned to them. "We're going to take a break. I'll see you tomorrow here on Oa. Goodnight, Sigma Lanterns. I suggest you stay near Coast City. We know that time zone, so we can locate you quickly."

Sara was about to object, but the green flash of light landed her in some man's office before she could finish.

"– look, Kilowog, or whatever, I don't have a home in Coast City, and– where am I?"

"You're in my office." a man with brown short hair smiled pleasantly at her. "I'm guessing you're the new Sigma Lantern Hal was telling me about. Sara, was it? I'm Dr. Ray Palmer. It's nice to meet you."

"Um.. Hello. Nice to meet you too. Sorry, but I've got to find a place to stay tonight in Coast City, and I'm a little turned around. I'm assuming you know the Green Lantern 2814.1 because...?"

"Oh, right, how silly of me. I'm the Atom. You need a place to stay? I've got a guest room. Would you like to stay there for the night?" Ray offered, and Sara gave a coy smile.

"Thank you, Dr. Palmer. I would, actually."

/O/