The continuation of Chapter Three: Confrontations, and the origin of the second Green Lantern! Alena Scott (formerly Alan) has a lot of things to get used to; a new costume, her sexuality as a girl (along with some decidely unwanted attention from her sister), and of course, the superhero Jade.

Chapter Three: Confrontations (Continued)

“You know, Sis, it's not fair that you can change your clothes like that.” Alison shook her head at me.

“I noticed that, when you change, your clothes don't change with you.”

“No, they don't. Um, Al...how do you do that anyways? I mean, exactly how do your powers work?”

I frowned. I didn't want to lie to her or Mom, but claiming to be a metahuman had seemed a lot simpler than the truth.

“And, what's up with the ring?”

“Uh...”

“No more secrets, right?”

I sighed. “Look, I didn't mean to lie, it's just...I didn't know how to explain the truth. The fact is, I'm not a metahuman. Well, that is, I don't think I am.”

I sat down and told her the whole story. Well, with one exception. She didn't really need to know about my first orgasm. A girl has to have some secrets, right?

When I was done, she nodded slowly. “Yeah, you were right not to come out with that. Mom might have freaked out. If you say you're a mutant, well, that's nothing you can control. To her line of thinking, it's natural, as weird as that sounds. So...without the ring, you don't have powers?”

I considered that. “I'm not sure how it works. The Flame claims I need the ring to focus the power. But it's a part of me, so...I dunno.”

“Jeez, Sis. You're totally confused. By the way. Alena.”

“Huh?” I blinked at her.

“You can't be Alan anymore, so you're Alena now.”

“Hey, don't I get a say? Why not Alana?”

She made a face. “Alana Murray?”

“Ick, I forgot about that bitch. Right, Alena will do, I guess. What about Alandra?”

She gave me a look. “Ah, right, Alana it is. Thanks, Sis.”

She grinned. “Ok, about the costume. You're a Green Lantern, so let's ditch the red. I'm thinking a one-piece bathing suit style costume. Mostly black, with green highlights. So you're more like Jade, but still unique.”

“That's...showing an awful lot of leg.”

“Hey, our legs are one of our best features! Now, using your powers to support your breasts, you don't need a bra, and you can push them up a little, make them look bigger.”

“Uh...why would I want to do that again?”

She sighed. “Just trust me on this. If you can distract someone with your assets, it'll be easier to fight them, right?”

I was kind of dubious, but I just nodded.

“We'll leave the arms bare, and I think the domino mask could be made larger. Darken your hair a bit...and some nice thigh boots.”

“Great, I'll look like some kind of stripper. Can you at least keep the heels low?”

She chuckled. “Heh, I'll have to teach you how to walk in heels, but it's probably better for crime fighting not to go with stilettos. Hm, need something for the hands...gloves?”

I flipped through my sketchbook, and found a picture I drew of one of Ali's old DnD characters. “Bracers, like the ones Cerinas wore.”

Cerinas had been her Monk, who owned a pair of mystical bracers to protect her, since she eschwed armor.

“Oh that's perfect! It'd be cool if you could make the runes glow.”

“Hm. Well heck, the Flame is magic, I wonder if it could enchant something?”

I AM NO MAGICIAN, YOUNG ONE. WHILE I COULD IMBUE AN ITEM WITH POWER, I COULD NOT FASHION THE SPELLS.

Alison just goggled at me. “What the...who was that?”

“You can hear it? The Flame?”

She nodded. “I take it others can't?”

“I hadn't thought so....”

WHEN YOU WERE KEEPING MY EXISTENCE A SECRET, SHE COULD NOT HEAR ME. HOWEVER, SHE IS YOUR TWIN, THE OTHER HALF OF YOURSELF. THUS, AS YOU CAN HEAR ME, SO CAN SHE, IF SHE IS CLOSE.

I shared a look with my Sister. We spoke at the same time. “Sweet!”

-

In the end, we looked online and found some good examples of magical symbols. “Will these work?”

SIGILS OF PHYSICAL POWER, THEY WILL INCREASE YOUR STRENGTH WHEN WORN.

“Awesome!” I carefully copied the designs. “Well, here goes.”

I stood up and held out my ring. “Green Lantern power!” Green light surrounded my being, and when it faded, I was now wearing the costume we had designed.

Alison clapped. “Awesome! Ooh, one thing though. Your nipples are showing through the fabric.”

“Ack! Mom warned me about that.”

She winked. “No problem, Sis.” She went to the bathroom and came back with a box of band-aids. “You just put these over your nipples.”

I had to change back to do it, but when I changed back, the effect was flawless. “Damn, I look huge!”

Sis gave me a thumbs up. “Damn right you do. You're a real hottie!”

I struck a pose, putting a hand on one hip. The symbols on my bracers began to glow, and I felt warmth flowing through the muscles of my arms. They might look like pipe stems, but I knew that someone would be in for a surprise if I punched them!

To my shock, Ali walked up and planted a kiss on my mouth. I was paralyzed, I mean, we were brother and sister! Or sister and sister...I don't know, but this wasn't right! It felt very nice, though.

I stared at her in shock when she moved back a step. “Oh, the look on your face!”

“Alison! You kissed me! You can't kiss me!”

“I just did?”

“But that's...we shouldn't...”

She sighed. “Alena, it's just a kiss. It's not like I made out with you. I can tell that would just blow your mind.”

“Trust me, my mind is pretty blown right now.”

“Look, Al, having sex with a sibling is only bad because of genetics. But we're girls now, right? So it couldn't hurt anything, could it?”

“Uh...well...but you're my sister!”

“Yes, I think we've established that. Look, at some point, you're going to need someone to teach you stuff about how to be a girl. How to kiss, and other stuff. Intimate stuff. Would you rather it be me, or some stranger?”

“I...uh...I don't know! It's just too much at once!” I wailed.

“Oh Al...” She hugged me, carefully, I noticed. “I'm sorry. It's just, I'm finally meeting the real you, and she's so beautiful”

“Uh, but we look alike?”

She smiled mysteriously. “Trust me. It's easy to tell us apart. Your eyes, for one, but it's more than that. There's a power about you, an aura. And the way you carry yourself...it's noble, even regal.”

I blinked. “Who, me?”

She poked me in the chest. It didn't feel unpleasant, but...

“Yes, you. I'm very proud of you. So don't mind me if I crush a little on your hero-side. I promise, I'll try to give you some space. But you do like girls, don't you? How did it feel when that woman kissed you?”

I blushed. “Really nice.”

“Thought so. It's not going to be easy to hook up with a girl, we're not all open to same-sex relations, you know. But Big Sister is going to be here for you, ok?”

“Uh...you know, I think I'll just focus on the crime-fighting for now.”

-

Once I got away from Ali, I needed to clear my head some. Flying is the best way I know to do that. It feels amazing, to be free of gravity, flying under my own power (well, the Flame's power, but pretty much the same difference). Ok, I'll grant, my Sister is very pretty, and when she touched me, I could feel my body react to her. “Damn traitor! She's your Sister!”

I kept imagining what it would be like, to have her make love to me. The touch of her hands on my breasts, or her mouth between my legs, her hot breath inside me... “Argh!

I lost altitude, and stopped in mid-air. I was getting so turned on, I couldn't focus! My willpower was faltering, and that was bad news. “Cold shower, I need a cold shower.”

YOUR WISH IS....IS THAT WHAT YOU DESIRE?

Wow. The Flame was learning! “Uh, maybe not an actual cold shower, but do you think you could help me calm down a little?”

I WILL TRY.

Whatever it did, it seemed to work. I was able to get my mind off of sex (and Ali, thank God!). “Damn raging hormones.”

INDEED. THE ADOLESCENT DESIRE TO MATE IS QUITE STRONG. AS IS YOUR NEED FOR PHYSICAL PLEASURE. BEING UNACCUSTOMED TO YOUR NEW GENDER IS MAKING IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR YOU, AS WELL.

“Yes, I kind of got that. Oh man, what am I going to do?”

YOU WILL HAVE TO ACQUIRE A SUITABLE CONSORT OR CONCUBINE.

I sputtered. “Are you for real?! It's not like I could wish for a girlfriend or something...wait! Don't even think about it!”

WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS, I WOULD NOT ATTEMPT SUCH A THING, EVEN IF IT WERE WITHIN MY POWER. I CAN BESTOW LIFE IN RESPONSE TO A STRONG WILL, BUT I COULD NOT CREATE A HUMAN LIFE.

Something was being left unsaid there. “You can create life, though.”

There was a long pause, and then: MY POWER FLOWS THROUGH GREEN, LIVING THINGS. IN MY LIGHT, PLANTS ARE NURTURED AND GROW STRONG.

“So, you could help a plant grow...into a plant person?”

IT IS IN MY POWER, THOUGH I WOULD NOT WISH TO DO THIS. YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MADE INTO SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT.

“Oh man, I wasn't meaning that you should do that!” Although, now that we were ont his topic, there were rumors about some kind of plant woman. What were they calling her? Oh yeah, Poison Ivy. Apparently she was pretty damn sexy, but nobody had gotten a clear picture of her yet.

Although, thanks to rule 34, that hadn't stopped some people from creating concept art of her. Some of which was pretty explicit!

“Ugh! No, no, no! No plant girls, and no incest! I need to keep my head clear!”

AGREED. I SENSE HUMAN LIFE IN JEAPORDY.

“What?! Where?” The Flame guided my senses, and I flew in that direction as fast as I could. I hadn't know the Flame could do that...actually, there was a lot I didn't know about it's powers. But I wasn't going to complain if it helped me to save lives!

-

It wasn't hard to find the source of the problem; there were police cars lined up outside an office building, and a barricade had been formed. I could see a helicopter, and men in dark clothing on the nearby rooftops. One of the Flame's many gifts is superior vision; I could see perfectly fine in darkness (although everything had a green tint to it) and at greater distances than any human.

SWAT snipers, then. That meant a hostage situation. I was out of my depth, but surely I could do something to help! I considered revealing myself to the cops, but let's face it, powers or not, I'm just a teenager. At least Jade had some hero cred; I was a nobody.

I veiled myself, and drifted down near the police. I listened as the situation was explained; the company was a LexCorp subsidiary, the robbers were no doubt after some tech secrets. They'd disabled the building security, which showed they were pros, but something had gone wrong, forcing them to take hostages, which they were keeping in the executive offices on the top floor.

Ok, I knew where to go, the question was, how to get in? I'd alert someone if I just busted in, and all the doors were being watched. If only I could become a ghost and phase through the wall! I rose upward. “Only limited by my willpower and my imagination, you said. Here goes!” I clenched my teeth, balling my hand into a fist, the ring digging into my skin. “I'm a ghost!”

I flew right at a window...and went through it!

YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY MOVED THROUGH THE FOURTH DIMENSION. NO SIMPLE FEAT, YOUNG ONE.

I grinned. But no time to pat myself on the back! I cautiously scouted out the situation. Ok, four guards outside the office. Moving through the wall, I saw three hostages; a young woman wearing a pantsuit, definitely upper management material, a middle-aged Latin American woman, probably a housekeeper or custodian, and a young girl, maybe 10 or so, who, based on the resemblance, was related to the housekeeper.

There was an armed man inside, and a woman who was talking on a cellular phone in some foreign language. Hm. Jade's Power Ring could translate languages, could mine do the same? I willed myself to be able to understand her, but nothing happened.

I don't mind having weaknesses, but this was an awfully inconvenient time to run into one! I'd have to do this fast, catch them off guard. I willed my ring to strobe with a brilliant light, which everyone immediately shielded their eyes from.

A quick wave of my hand, and I snatched the gun out of the man's hand. The woman reached for a firearm of her own, but I flew at her, and grabbed her by the throat. Her eyes bulged in shock.

I modulated my voice so that it would be easily heard outside the room. “No one move! Surrender now, or face the Green Lantern!”

“Awesome! She's so going to kick your butts!” The young girl pumped her fist into the air. I couldn't keep a slight grin off of my face. The other man dove for his gun, but I'd kept my ring hand free, and grabbed him, pinning him against the ceiling with a ray of emerald force.

I wasn't sure what to do next, but it turns out I didn't have to worry about it; I heard some commotion outside the room, and then the door began to glow green. No way!

The door was ripped off it's hinges, and Jade stepped in. She took one look at me, and took aim with her ring hand. “Alright, whoever you are, stand down.”

“Wow, two Green Lanterns!” The young girl exclaimed.

“Hey, she's with the bad guys, I didn't hurt anyone.”

Jade's eyes narrowed. “Stand down, or else.

Ok, she sounded kind of pissed. So I let both the criminals go, who immediately backed away from me. Soft green light washed over me from Jade's ring.

Scan complete: target is in possession of the Star Heart.

Jade nodded. “You don't know what you're playing with, kid. Just give me the ring and no one will get hurt.”

SHE SERVES MY JAILORS, THEY WILL SEEK TO IMPRISON ME ONCE MORE.

The Flame sounded...afraid? “Like Hell!” I used my Ring's power to push Jade back, and phased through the floor. But that wouldn't slow her down for long. I was too panicked to think straight; Jade thought I was some kind of criminal!

It was hard to imagine my idol was now my enemy. Couldn't we just talk this out? But then a door burst open, and Jade flew out of it. No time to think, I flew away. The confines of an office building are not conducive to a flying chase, and I barely avoided slamming right into a wall. I saw a window and I went for it, a green aura protecting me from the impact.

Jade had mastered her ring's powers, and I was a rookie. I had to get away! Maybe I was faster than she was? I flew upward, over the city, but to my horror, a green light flashed ahead of me. Jade hovered in the air, wagging her finger at me.

“Sorry kid, but real Green Lanterns are capable of interstellar flight. Why don't you give up now?”

“Never!” I fired a bolt of emerald energy at her, but she created a translucent shield, and deflected the attack. I dove downward, letting gravity assist me in a power dive. With luck, this would let me get some distance between us.

Good theory, but Jade wasn't kidding about her speed, she got ahead of me again, and I slammed into a net of green light. “Gotcha!”

I felt like a hand was gripping my heart. I've never been so afraid! But...why? She wasn't trying to kill me! Then I realized; the fear was not my own. It was the Star Heart. It was terrified of being jailed once more.

I took a calming breath. What was it Paul had said in Dune? Fear is the mind-killer. Without my mind, my Ring was useless. “You won't take it from me.”

Jade hovered in the air, regarding me. “You don't know what it's capable of. It's not a toy, it's dangerous! Time for you to stop playing at being a hero.”

“We'll see whose playing.” I concentrated, and phased out of her web, passing through it harmlessly. Jade's eyes widened. Her ring created a giant, feminine hand which attempted to grab me, but it's fingers grasped at empty air!

“What the...how is she doing that?!”

Her powers are partly mystical in nature, allowing her to bypass physical boundaries. She is apparently able to phase out of this dimension.

“Well, it's been fun, but I gotta go!” I took off again, attempting to lose Jade among the buildings. She had no problems keeping up with me, but what could she do?

Then something swatted me out of the sky and I crashed into a parked car. What the hell?

Power successfully modulated; extra-dimensional phasing of target neutralized.

I struggled to extricate myself from the car as Jade floated down. “Ok, look, kid, can't you see this is pointless?”

I was losing this fight, and badly. I couldn't take Jade head-on, I needed to outsmart her. Something the Flame told me about my ring came back to me. It's power was limited only by my willpower and creativity. I was an artist, damn it, I could be more creative than this!

-

Jade sighed. She felt bad for roughing up the kid, she barely looked 16, if that! But the Star Heart was dangerous, according to her Ring, it's power levels were extreme, and fluctuated wildly. It was time to end this, before the girl came up with some new trick.

That's when something poked her in the shoulder. She turned just in time to get punched by a female form made out of green light! The force of the blow caused her to slam into the sidewalk below, looking up, she couldn't believe her eyes! Her attacker was...herself?!

Sure enough, the construct greatly resembled Jade, and it floated down slowly, cricking it's neck as it prepared for a fight. “Well if it's a fight you want, you cheap copy...” Jade created a baseball bat out of emerald energy, and swung it at her double.

To her surprise, the copy-Jade calmly blocked the attack with her forearm, and countered with a savage blow to Jade's midsection. The wind knocked out of her, Jade staggered back. Ok, she couldn't fight this thing directly, she had to take out the phony 'Green Lantern'!

Who was nowhere to be seen.

-

I grinned. Now this was more like it! My Jade-construct was kicking ass, all while I remained safely veiled from sight. Still, I'd hurt Jade more than I wanted to. Easily fixed, though. With an effort of will, the clone's form rippled, and now she was wearing boxing trunks and a pair of padded gloves. I'd forgotten to give her a top, but being made of light, she really didn't need chest support.

I'm not a fighter myself, but I've watched lots of action films, and I found I could imbue the copy with any fighting style I chose, and even let it fight on it's own! I grinned as I forced Jade to go a few rounds with Bruce Lee.

-

It was all Jade could do to evade her doppleganger's attacks; the thing was unpredictable, but suddenly, it shifted it's stance, and started bouncing up and down on the balls of it's feet. Jade wasn't sure what annoyed her more; getting beat up by herself, or the fact that her double was showing off her assets to the world!

“Ok, that is enough! At least learn to dress like a lady!” Jade created a sheet of green light under her double. The ground suddenly becoming frictionless, the light construct tripped and fell on her behind, causing her to blink out of existence.

Jade scanned the area, trying to find her elusive prey. “Damn, how is she hiding?”

It is undoubtedly some kind of mystical effect concealing the target from view. Locking onto the source.

“You hear that, girl? You better run while you still can!”

-

Sound advice, I took off and quickly made my way towards the edge of the city. I wasn't sure what to do now; the whole world thought Jade was a hero! Now people would think I'm a bad guy! My eyes stung with tears. This isn't what I wanted at all!

I flew over a bridge, not really paying attention to my course. I noticed a truck below weaving somewhat erratically. What the heck? Then, before my eyes, it careened into the other lane, and hit a smaller car, which slammed into the railing...and through it, the laws of physics sending it careening out into space over the river!

“Oh shit!” I dove downwards. I had to save the people in that car! I discarded the idea of grabbing it telekinetically; the frame would simply fall apart! I needed something for it to land on, something that would absorb the impact! Something soft...I stopped in mid-flight, stretching my arm outwards. “Please let this work!”

-

Jade was in hot pursuit, but the kid had a head start on her. She'd failed, but at least there was next time. And then she saw a flash of emerald light up ahead. What the heck was the kid doing?

And then she saw something so incredible, so ridiculous, she couldn't believe her own eyes. Half-immersed in the water of the river was a gigantic couch! Perched on it's seat cushions was a compact car, and the girl was helping the passengers out of it!

Quietly, Jade flew over to the scene, and created a small raft for the survivors, helping them get to shore. The girl flew up, but rather than escape, she started using her ring to clear up the accident on the bridge itself.

-

Once I righted the truck, which had been teetering dangerously on the edge of the bridge, I flew to the cab to see what was wrong. The truck driver was a big guy, and he was very pale. Ripping open the door (my enchanted bracers are totally sweet, by the way), I checked his pulse. He was cold to the touch, and his pulse was weak. I got him out of the truck and lay him on the ground. I'd never performed CPR on a living human before, but I tilted his neck back and prayed.

I hoped I was doing this right, it had been awhile! I pushed down on his chest gently, careful of my enhanced strength, then gave him rescue breaths. Nothing. “Damn it! Breathe!”

I tried again, but still nothing. And then I had an idea. Placing my hand over his chest, I imagined his heart in my mind. If I did this wrong, he would die. “I want him to live! Live, please!”

Gently, I imagined a hand forming around his heart, squeezing it, then releasing, even as I breathed air into the man's lungs (his breath smelled like pizza...I was never going to eat pepperoni again!). And then, he gasped, and his heart started beating.

I was so exhausted, I fell backwards, landing on my behind, dazed. Looking up, I noticed a group of people had gathered around me, and they started to applaud. All I could do was smile like a goof.

I was a hero after all.

Jade walked up to me, and offered me her hand, helping me up. With her power, she made a sort of sleeping bag to keep the man warm, and used her ring to call for an ambulance. Handy, that.

After clearing traffic, we stepped back and let the police and EMT's do their thing. I looked up at her; she's a lot taller in person, let me tell you! “I guess you'll want my ring now?”

She gave me an odd look, then held up her ring. “What are my standing orders, if any, concerning the Star Heart?”

Attempt to keep it out of evil hands, and report it's whereabouts to the Guardians.

“Who I can't contact at the moment.”

Correct.

She nodded, then looked at me. “You could have run away, but you stopped to help these people.”

I frowned. “I couldn't let anyone die. Even if that means the Star Heart becomes your prisoner again. It's so afraid, but...I had to.”

Jade blinked. “Wait, the Star Heart...it's alive?!”

I nodded. “When it gave me the ring, somehow, it became a part of me. It can think, and feel. It says that it's growing, evolving, and that I'm helping it somehow. In the past, it simply did what people told it to do, but...it's learning.”

“That..I didn't know. Look, um, what's your name?”

“Alena. Alena Scott.” I didn't see the point in hiding the truth, now.

No record of an Alena Scott in this vicinity. There is, however an Alan Scott, who would be about the same age as this girl.

I blushed. “Uh...yeah. That's me. Or it was.”

Jade shook her head. “I can see we're going to have to have a long talk. Maybe you better call your family.” A green glowing cellular phone appeared in her hand.

I laughed. “That ring of yours is pretty handy.”

“Mm, but yours isn't too shabby either.”

-

Mom was really worried, but I put Jade on the phone, and somehow, she managed to reassure Mom that I was safe, and everything was fine. And then, Jade took me to her starship.

Yeah, I know! I was living the dream!

Earth's gravity wasn't a problem, but I just couldn't match her speed, so I let her fly us both up to the moon. Wow. Flying to the moon. My life was so awesome! I couldn't help but hum the ending theme to Evangelion as we flew, which rewarded me with a chuckle from Jade.

Once onboard, I had a hard time keeping my mouth closed. “This. Place. Is. Awesome!”

Jade grinned. “Yeah, I know! Fringe benefits of the job, I guess.” She led me to some kind of crew lounge and offered me a glass of Coke.

“Mm, Old Coke!”

She raised an eyebrow. “I wasn't surprised when Doris recognized it, but you don't look that old.”

“Huh? Doris?”

“I'm sure you've heard of her. Giant-sized redhead? Her code-name is Giganta, but she isn't that well-known yet.”

“Oh uh, yeah, I've...seen her. Quite a bit of her.”

Jade laughed.

“Anyways, Gramps installed a pop machine full of the stuff in our house. I guess you want to hear the story now, huh?”

“If you feel up to it? You seemed kind of wore out at the bridge.”

“Yeah, but I'm okay now. I really don't know what all my limits are yet.”

“By the way...a couch?”

I laughed. “Yeah, it's the couch in my room. Gramps never could get rid of it, he said it was the comfiest couch he ever owned. Hm...I guess the story really starts with him.”

I started talking, and I didn't stop for some time.

-

Jade leaned back. “That's some story, Alena. So you really wished to be a hero like me?”

I blushed. “I know, it's kind of creepy, right?”

She shrugged. “Oh I don't know, it's kind of flattering actually, you don't strike me as a creepy kid.”

“Thanks for being nice about it. Anyways...I got my wish.”

“Look, Alena...I'm sorry for the way I came after you. I just knew that this thing was dangerous, and you have to admit, you took a big risk getting into that hostage situation. People could have gotten hurt. Even you; the ring makes you powerful, but you're not invincible.”

I nodded. “I know. I know! But...how could I have this power and do nothing?”

“I know how you feel. Don't worry, I'll help you as much as I can.”

I blinked. “Wait, you're letting me keep the ring?”

“I don't really have much of a choice, I don't know how I'd get the Star Heart out of you anyways. You're a good person, Alena, and you care about others. And what I saw you do tonight, that was pretty heroic. So, yeah, consider yourself deputized as a Green Lantern of Sector 2814. Although, unless you can learn how to fly faster, consider yourself limited to patrolling Earth.”

“Uh, that's a pretty big chunk of real estate.”

“Not by the Guardian's standards, apparently. Not that I've met them, and to be honest, for all I know, they'll take my ring away from me when I do. Which is why I really can't judge you too harshly...although, the next time you try to copy me, at least let me keep my shirt on, ok?”

We both laughed at that one for some time.

-

It turned out the belt was a good idea; it has compartments like a real utility belt, and I found a use for at least one of them. Since my ring functioned differently than Jade's, she gave me a copy of her own; it didn't grant powers well, other than the ability to disguise it's wearer, which I didn't have a use for...but it did function as a universal translator and a communications device. That way, I could get in touch with anyone else with a ring, and vice versa. Jade explained she was trying to form a group of heroes to protect Earth.

I couldn't wait to meet the others, like Terra or the American Dream! Of course, she finally had to take me home, where she introduced herself to Mom and Sis. Once she was gone, however, Mom bawled me out for a good ten minutes straight, then hugged me tight, crying.

She didn't ground me though. She didn't even demand that I stop being a hero. “You're an adult now, honey. It's your life, and your decision. And I know you did a lot of good. Just...try to be careful, ok? I couldn't bear to lose you or your sister.”

I promised her I would do my best, and then, I took a long shower and headed to bed. I was beat, no doubt about it.

-

The next day, Ali sat down next to me at breakfast with a smile. “So, did you and Jade make out?”

“What?! No! Don't be perverted!”

She snorted. “Me? Hey, you're the one who had a big crush on her. And you know, I'm starting to understand why.”

“No...I wasn't in love with her, even though I think we're going to be good friends. I guess you could say, I was Green with envy.”

“Ugh! I can't believe I have the same genes as you, you're such a geek!” But she winked at me, and I couldn't stop smiling.

My life has changed in a lot of ways, and all of them complicated. But I wouldn't trade this for anything.

My name is Alena Scott, and I am a Green Lantern.