#RingsOfPower

(Space)

High up outside the Earth's atmosphere, Hal Jordan and Jessica Cruz were training in a small asteroid cluster. Jessica kept on the defensive, creating a shield to block Hal's baseball bat.

"Come on Jess, you're putting me to sleep here," said Hal as he continued to fight. "Aren't you part of the The Unity? You gotta throw a punch or two."

"And I keep telling you that I don't do violence!" Jessica replied pushing back Hal before creating a light construct of a safe. "There are other ways of fighting than just bashing people with a bat."

At that moment, a massive green hammer knocked Jessica down to the asteroid. Jess landed roughly on the asteroid as the owner of the hammer landed before her with a heavy *thud*. The hammer wielder was a massive, bulky alien with tusk-like appendages in his face and wore a Green Lantern uniform just like Jessica and Hal. This was the Green Lantern known as Kilowog, trainer of new recruits and highly regarded officer in the Corps.

"Hal's got a point, Jess. If you were fightin' anyone besides this poozer, then you wouldn't stand a chance," Kilowog said sternly.

"Yeah. See? Kilowog knows what I'm talking about," Hal backed up before realizing that he was just mildly insulted. "Hey!"

"I just believe there can be more accomplished through non-violence rather than just using our rings as weapons," Jess tried to defend, holding steadfast to her beliefs.

"This isn't game, kid. Someday, you're gonna need to use that thing for its intended purpose. Maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but someday," Kilowog said, making Jess feel uneasy at the prospect of breaking her code of nonviolence.

"Class dismissed, poozers," Kilowog said before taking off into space as Hal and Jess went in the opposite direction, back down to Earth and Metropolis.


(Metropolis High - Later)

We're in Metropolis High, where the week of classes restarts again to the misfortune of many students.

On the other side of the school's football field, Jessica was venting her frustrations on Andre. In a non-violent sort of way, of course.

"And then Kilowog says that I'm not tough enough. I swear that man has some severe anger issues," said Jessica frustrated by her discussion with the trainer Green Lantern. "I wish that I could've thrown an octopus at his face."

"I think that he's into tough love. You wanna do it your way but... sometimes you have to throw a few punches," Andre explained, hoping that it wasn't too tough on the peace-loving girl. "If it makes you feel any better, I was trained in much the same way. Colin taught me how to hunt with a bow and arrow, there was a lot of screaming."

Jessica gasped after hearing that hunting part.

"Don't worry, don't worry, we didn't harm innocent animals it was only practice." Andre explained relieving his nature loving friend.

"Good to know, but he couldn't have been as bad as Kilowog," said Jessica, unable to imagine the kind of tyrant Colin was during training.

"Hey, from my experience, he was probably worse. Everyone has their own thoughts, but he did make me camp outside the house for two weeks after I was sprayed by that skunk." Andre said, now feeling embarrassed at revealing that bit of information. Jessica couldn't help but laugh a bit at hearing this.

"You were sprayed by a little skunk?" She asked in disbelief, covering her mouth as she chuckled.

"Hey, that thing was evil. And I swear months later I could have sworn he was following me around, no-one ever believed me," Andre tried to defend, hoping to save what little dignity he had left.

"He he, don't worry, Andre. I believe you," Jess replied, finishing her giggling before placing a supporting hand on his shoulder. "Maybe seeing the team win this game will cheer you up. The opposite team is just getting here."

Andre looked up to see the bus from Coast City Prep arrive. First came the football players and then came the cheerleaders of the team.

"Oh, right, Hal Jordan is in the Green Lantern Corp with you, right?" asked Andre before looking at the school team getting ready for the game. "Is he any good?"

"More like he thinks he's the top of the tortilla stack, a little too full of himself if you ask me," Jessica answered with the harsh truth. "Too bad he is seen as one of the best Green Lanterns."

"I hear someone call my name," Hal exclaimed getting Andre and Jess' attention. "Star player of both the school and the corp, Hal Jordan reporting for duty."

"Speak of the devil, y aqui esta. Hello Hal, shouldn't you go to the field with the rest of the team?" asked Jessica, pointing to the team doing some warm ups and passing the ball amongst each other.

"Nah, there's no need for that. The game starts in like another half hour or so-Ah!" screamed Hal before hiding behind Andre. "She's here! Why is she here?!"

Andre and Jessica looked at the other side of the field where the visiting team was just hanging out.

"Um, what's going on? Wait... are you afraid of the visiting team?" asked Andre giggling a little over the fact that a guy that has been to space and faces countless dangers was afraid of the competition.

"It's not the team I'm afraid of! It's her," was all that Hal said, looking at the other end of the field.

Andre and Jessica looked at where Hal was pointing towards, and were unsure as to what to think. The person that Hal was pointing to was a seemingly innocent looking girl from Coast City. She had long black hair, fair skin, pretty red lips, purple eyes, and a beautiful well kept figure. She wore a red cheerleader uniform, which showed off her legs and had no sleeves. If anything, Jessica and Andre were confused because the girl looked harmless, if not friendly.

"Who is she?" asked Jessica

"She's Carol Ferris, my ex-girlfriend," Hal answered as he pulled Andre as if he was camouflage against Carol. "You've got to get me out of here now."

"Wait... she was your girlfriend?" Andre laughed getting a glare from Hal. "Sorry dude, it's just that she's a nine out of ten, and your... a five.. And I'm being nice, so... yeah what's... what's your story here," asked Andre, slightly annoyed that the male Green Lantern was using him as a moveable hiding spot.

"You two don't know her like I do. Trust me. By the way, who are you?" asked Hal, finally acknowledging Andre.

"I'm Andre King. Nice to meet you," said Andre.

"He's one of my friends, and not a human shield," said Jessica prying Hal off of the boy. "Hal, remember when you told me to face my problems?"

"Well yeah, but I meant problems like a supervillain or an alien invasion. Not crazy ex-girlfriends," said Hal, shriveling in fear.

Andre couldn't help but wonder how this guy got into an intergalactic space cop group if an ex-girlfriend is enough to frighten him.

At that moment, the seemingly innocent looking girl turned her eyes to where the three teen heroes were talking. Her face contorted into a scowl. She stepped away from the rest of the cheerleaders and behind the bleachers of the field.

"Hal Jordan, for goodness sake, if the breakup was nasty you must go there and apologize to that sweet young lady," said Jessica before a bright violet colored light illuminated the entire field.

The three heroes turned to the source of light and were taken aback by the sight before them. The black haired girl was now wearing a pink dress with a puffy skirt and sleeves, a white neck and elbow-length gloves that gave her the appearance of a princess with a pink tiara included. But the one thing that stood out was a violet-colored ring on her hand.

"Hal Jordan, I, Star Sapphire, will have you," called out Star Sapphire before creating a heart construct blast.

Andre got taken by his instincts and moved both Jessica and Hal out of the way with his speed. The entire field began running away as Star Sapphire engulfed herself in a flaming heart of concentrated love. Andre was able to get the two lanterns to safety, where he hoped to get some answers.

"Who the hell is she?" demanded Andre.

"And why is she trying to kill you?" asked Jessica.

"It's kind of a complicated story," said Hal, before Star Sapphire fired another blast next to where they were staying.

"Of course you of all people would date a supervillain. Juro por dios que esto solo te pasaría a ti," said Jessica irritated by Hal's antics. "We need to stop her. Time to hero up!" she said creating her hero suit in a flash of green light.

"Right behind you," said Andre pulling out his hero suit from his backpack.

"Let me show you how it's done," said Hal before lifting his right fist. "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, Green Lantern's light!" He said, raising his arm above his head, only for nothing to happen.

Hal's eyes widened before trying again, but still nothing happened.

"Why isn't this work-oh god! My ring's gone!" Hal exclaimed, noticing that his ring was indeed gone.

"What!? How is it gone?!" Jessica asked in disbelief.

"I don't know," Hal replied unsure as to how he could lose the most powerful weapon in the universe. "I think I might've lost it," he said sheepishly.

Just then, Star Sapphire blasted at them, causing Hal to fall on his butt. Jessica created a large green construct wall, shielding them from the flaming hearts from the heroes.

"Red Wolf, help Hal find his ring. I'll hold her off," said Jessica holding the wall made of will power.

"On it, but be careful," Andre responded before grabbing Hal and jumping back into the school.


(Metropolis High - Hallways)

"How the HELL could you loose your green lantern ring? You're supposed to keep it on you at all times." Red Wolf's voice was heard through, "Jessica doesn't even believe in violence, and even she never takes her ring off!

Red Wolf ran through the hallways of the school before he stopped in one of the corridors. He put Hal down, hoping to get some answers.

"Alright Hal, just who is this Star Sapphire and why would you date her, scratch that why would she date you?" asked Andre to the Green Lantern.

"Look dude, a Star Sapphire is like a Green Lantern but their rings are powered by love. I didn't know that she was one when we dated," said Hal.

"(Sigh) Where was the last place you saw your ring?" asked Andre, wanting to get back and help Jess against the lantern of love.

"I don't know. For all I know someone could've taken it," Hal suggested.

"Does anyone other than Jessica and you know about the rings?" asked Andre.

"Not that I know of. Maybe someone just swiped it when I wasn't looking? Or I lost it when reentering Earth's atmosphere? No that makes no sense," Hal rambled on before another explosion shook up the building.

"Did you go to the changing room?" asked Andre. "Maybe you left it there by accident."

"Dude, I'm not a newbie to just take off my ring and leave it-Oh crud," Hal realized at that moment as if Kilowog would have hit him with his hammer.

Andre hit Hal over the head for his foolishness before he dragged him to the bathroom. They went in and went straight to the sinks to find the ring. Hal put on his ring just in time to feel another shockwave from the battle outside.

"Get that ring going, Jess needs help," said Andre.

"Got it Red," Hal said closing his fist. "In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power. Green Lantern's Light!" He called out, but once again, nothing happened.

"Are you kidding me?!" asked Andre, angry that this Green Lantern wasn't any good.

"I don't know what the problem is! I charged this thing this morning!" Hal said in panic as more rumbling came from outside, followed by Star Sapphire's surprisingly loud shouting.

"YOU WILL BE MINE, HAL JORDAN!" She screamed in anger.

"Was she always this clingy?" Andre asked in curiosity.

"And now you know why I broke up with her," Hal replied. "I knew breaking up with her through text was the right idea."

"You did what now?!" asked Andre with wide-eyed disbelief.

Andre's eye twitched as his electrokinetic legacy when on spreading through his hands in a scary way.

"Don't you watch any TV shows?! I mean what kind of moron are you!"

"What? I put a smiley face emoji in it. I'm not The Joker, you know," he tried and failed to defend.

"It's somehow worst that you think that makes it better," Andre just facepalmed himself, before grabbing Hal and rushing to the field to help Jessica.


(Later)

The entire football field looked like a warzone straight out of a World War. There were craters littering the field, the bleechers were destroyed, and the goal posts were snapped in half. Jessica, looking worse for wear, was then slammed into the ground as Star Sapphire created a large flaming heart over her head.

"I won't let you have him! Hal Jordan is mine, you harlot!" Star Sapphire claimed.

"Wait, wait, wait," Jess said, waving her hand about to buy a few seconds, "You think that Hal and I…? HAHAHAHAHA! No no no no no. NO! I wouldn't date that loser if he was the last man on this or any other Earth. I mean have you met him?!"

This question made Star Sapphire cease her assault for a second as she thought about it. Which was more than enough for Red Wolf to start thinking of a plan with his tech.

"First off, he uses WAY too much hair product," Jess began to list off, "Second, his breath almost always stinks, his ego makes Ego The Living Planet look like a meteorite by comparison, and between you and me, he takes far longer shopping than the entire female student body."

"Hey, I'm right here," said Hal snapping at the comments.

Red Wolf saw how the villainess was thinking about all these facts and he got an idea.

"Yeah! She's right! I've only just met him and I feel dumber by the minute," Andre added.

"Hey!"

"The point is, Carol, you could do so much better than him. But to do that, you must first learn to love yourself," Jessica said as Carol began to float down to the ground, tears in her eyes.

Andre rushed to Jessica's side and helped her up. She was in a pretty bad shape, her no fighting policy sure showed that she had a pretty strong will.

"Star Sapphire, you don't have to pine over that guy. I mean, look at him. He's a mess of a five at best," said Andre pointing at Hal.

"Again, I'm still here. Why don't you just send her flying or something," said Hal, waving his hands in annoyance.

Carol looks down and Jessica goes up to her. "look I know that its hard being rejected but Hal is not a good man."

Andre walks to Star Sapphires direction, "Yes, looks theres still plenty of guys out there, because the type of guy that Hal is, it's not a good choice, he won't love you back, I'm sure a pretty girl like you can find the right guy."

Carol looks at him with tears as her face began to change, "You think I'm pretty?" She asked with a little blush.

"Yeah, your very cute and I'm sure you can find the right guy." Andre said and that made Jessica happy that he was helping Carol get her spirit up.

"And before that you've gotta learn to love yourself first." Jessica added.

"You are both right. I don't need to be in love with Hal to be happy. I can just love myself," said Star Sapphire smiling like a girl in love, before her Sapphire aura glowed bright once more. "And one day I will make you, Hal Jordan, the man that I deserve." she claimed before blasting off into the sky.

"WHAT!?"

"That's not good," said Jessica "I think I taught her too well."

"Yeah, now there's a crazy Star Sapphire out there with her powers turned up to 11. Why couldn't you just hit her once?" Asked Hal a little ticked that his ex was now more powerful than ever.

"Uh, Hal I don't think you have much talk on the matter on this moment, 'cause I'm very much containing myself from electrocuting you." Andre told him, and then turned to Jessica. "And don't worry, you did the right thing Jess. And you keept to your beliefs, I'm the one who should be sorry for not helping more in the fight," said Andre, a little disappointed for his lack of action.

Jessica could only smile as Andre comforted her. However, she was also blushing at the fact that she was being pressed into him and could feel his muscles. She couldn't believe how well developed he was. She guessed the costume didn't do him justice.

"Ay mami, que musculos," said Jess blushing, completely unaware that she forgot English for a moment.

"What was that?" asked Andre.

"Oh, nothing. I think we're good." said Jessica stepping slightly away from Andre.

"Oh, and you don't need to worry about fighting, you can be the shield and protect people without fighting, but if you need me, I promise I'll be your sword and protect you. Hey, don't forget... I'm a Garde." He said making her blush red.


(Later)

After the attack from the pink supervillain, the football game was postponed indefinitely until the field was repaired. A couple hours later, Andre, Jess, and the other members of the Unity got a text from Barbara.

"OMG! Guys, meet up at pier ASAP! Huge news I gotta show you!" The text message read, followed by a bunch of crazy emojis.

The team met at the pier where Barbara was bouncing like a puppy trying to get a bone.

"We're here Barbara, what is the big news?" asked Diana.

"Well, I just wanted to show you that, pause for dramatic effect... Sweet Justice has been rebuilt!" Barbara said, showing the recently rebuilt sweet shop.

"Alright, I could use some sugar!" said Kara.

"For our next victory we shall celebrate here!" Diana called out.

"Well yeah, but that's not the thing I wanted to show you," intercepted Barbara "Follow me," She said as she led the group into the restaurant and they took their seats at a booth in the back. Once everyone was seated, Barbara leaned over the table and began to fiddle with the straw dispenser, as if entering a locker or safe combination. Finally opening and closing the dispenser, dropping the straws all over the table, she then retook her seat. A few seconds passed and nothing happened. Before anyone could ask the reason for doing that, the booth seemed to flip into the wall, quickly being replaced with an identical booth from the floor.

The group slid down what felt like a slide before landing on something firm yet soft in a huge pile. Suddenly, a light turned on over their heads and they found that they were lying on a mattress in what appeared to be some manner of underground area.

"My fellow teammates, allow me to introduce you to our new secret lair!" Barbara exclaimed happily as more lights turned on, showing off individual areas for each of the heroes.

"No way, a secret lair!" said Andre shocked by the lair.

"How did you build this in just a couple of weeks?" asked Kara

"I took some late night visits to the construction site," Barbara said, waving off the question like it was no big deal. "The workers didn't notice me one bit."

"This is amazing. Friends, from here on out this shall be our base from which we will defend the city!" proclaimed Diana, filled with pride that was passed on to the other members of the team.

Everyone cheered as the night went on. As the girls celebrated their new base of operations, Andre looked about the place and found something that made him smile: A pinboard that had news clippings from the Daily Planet that showed their past victories. But what really made him smile was a photo booth reel that showed the group the night they first became friends as well as a team.